Aston Villa man who has just missed out on the World Cup squad could still receive a late call-up for the tournament.
Aston Villa star Emiliano Buendia, who enjoyed an unexpectedly stellar season, could still have a chance to play at the World Cup despite failing to make Argentina’s final squad. The latest developments in the Albiceleste camp have been rather worrying, with a number of injuries affecting the current squad. Such circumstances could open the door for the former Norwich City man to be included.
According to a report from DSports Radio, the attacking midfielder is currently under consideration by Lionel Scaloni for a late call-up.
“The Aston Villa player has been told to remain on alert and postpone his holiday plans.”
Buendia appears to have been informed to stay in shape and continue training in case a late call-up materialises. This is not the first time for the Villa man, as he experienced a similar situation in November 2025.
Several key players in the current Argentina squad do not appear to be in their best condition. Leandro Paredes is the most concerning case. He is suffering from hamstring discomfort and is expected to miss the two friendly matches before the tournament, against Honduras on June 7 and Iceland on June 10.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is still recovering after breaking a finger ahead of the Europa League final. Nico Gonzalez is also racing against time to regain fitness due to a heel knock and muscle strain.
Meanwhile, Thiago Almada is dealing with muscular overload and fatigue, while Nico Paz, who recently helped Como qualify for the Champions League, is recovering from a knee problem. Lionel Messi is still managing a hamstring issue, whereas wing-back Gonzalo Montiel is sidelined with a muscle injury.
The only injured players who have returned to full training are Tottenham’s Cristian Romero and Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez. Both are now fully fit again.
Buendia could be called up if Thiago Almada, Nico Gonzalez, or Nico Paz fail to complete their recovery in time. However, if Leandro Paredes is the player who misses out, Buendia is unlikely to be the replacement due to the midfielder’s different role in the squad.
The Aston Villa man may not be the only player under consideration for a late call-up. For the attacking midfield and wing positions, the likes of Real Madrid’s Franco Mastantuono, AS Roma’s Matias Soule, and Manchester United loanee Alejandro Garnacho are among the strongest contenders.
Even so, Buendia may still have a chance to be included. He has arguably been in better form than most of those rivals, with the possible exception of Soule. The players who went on loan last season in Bundesliga before being considered a surplus man has turned into a key man of the team in the last campaign.
The Mar del Plata-born midfielder has earned only two senior international caps so far. His most recent appearance came in November 2025 when he also received a late call-up for a friendly against Angola. Buendia came off the bench and played for 20 minutes, replacing Thiago Almada.
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