Lazio Midfielder Hopes to Suit up Alongside Lionel Messi With Argentina

ROME, ITALY - OCTOBER 02: Gonzalo Escalante of SS Lazio player during the SS Lazio training session at Formello sport center on October 02, 2020 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi - SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Lazio midfielder Gonzalo Escalante has made 19 appearances this season, and although he’s figuring out life with the Biancocelesti, the 27-year-old has lofty goals aside from performing well for his new club. 

After coming over from SD Eibar, Escalante wants to feature in more prominent fixtures and compete at the highest levels of club football. Perhaps one of the reasons that the midfielder decided to move to Lazio is due to wanting to feature in the Argentina National Team. 

In an interview with Diario OléEscalante touched on the possibility of playing for his country and sharing the pitch with FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. 

The Selección is the dream I am chasing. With Lazio, I can have more chances, because it is an incredible team that now plays in the Champions League. Obviously, I would love to play alongside Messi in the National Team, but I would be happy in general if I was called up.

The Argentina National Team has several FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifying fixtures and the Copa América on the horizon. If Escalante can display his form for Lazio (as they play in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 against FC Bayern Munich and the Biancocelesti hopes to finish in the top four), perhaps manager Lionel Scaloni could give him a call-up. 

Tags Argentina National Team Gonzalo Escalante Lionel Messi