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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Mark Walker

Alexandro Bernabei set to rub shoulders with World Cup winners in shock call-up

Celtic star Alexandro Bernabei is in line for a shock international call-up for World Champions Argentina.

The 22-year-old signed in a £3.75 million move from Lanus last year and, although he's mostly been understudy to Greg Taylor, he's still managed 17 appearances for the champions.

He netted his first goal last month in a win at Ross County to become the first-ever Argentinian to score for Celtic.

Now, according to reports in the South American country, Bernabei is being considered for their summer tour to Asia by World Cup-winning manager Lionel Scaloni.

Argentina are set to play matches against Indonesia and China and they want to use players with less international experience for the trip.

The World Cup winners begin their qualification campaign for the 2026 tournament in September and Scaloni is reportedly set to choose a younger squad for their summer mini-tour.

Bernabei, 22, has received a lot of attention in his homeland since his move to Scottish football and has come through the international ranks, having played for Argentina's Under 19s and Under 23s squad.

And he could be ready to make his bow for the three-times World Cup holders alongside Lionel Messi in Jakarta on June 19.

Meanwhile, Roberto Martinez admits Celtic attacker Jota is very much on his Portugal radar. 

The 24-year-old has played at every youth level for his national team but has yet to earn a full call-up to the Portuguese A-squad. 

Jota has enjoyed a stellar season under Ange Postecoglou in Glasgow, netting 14 goals and notching 11 assists in 39 appearances. 

It was no surprise that the Hoops winger was named in Portugal’s provisional 55-man World Cup squad, prior to Martinez’s time in charge, but did not make the final cut. 

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