Socceroos boss Graham Arnold drops huge hints about team to take on Lionel Messi’s Argentina

Socceroos boss Graham Arnold is tipped to name a squad littered with A-League players ahead of the international friendly against Lionel Messi’s Argentina on June 15 in Beijing.

The 59-year-old confirmed to Daily Mail Australia he has his eye on several players from Melbourne City and the Central Coast Mariners ahead of Saturday’s Grand Final at CommBank Stadium in Sydney.

‘What a wonderful opportunity to play the world champions,’ Arnold said.

‘We will certainly have a young team, but they have the chance to create lifetime memories.

‘Due largely to match fitness alone, I will lean on players from Melbourne City and the Mariners.

‘Guys from other [A-League] clubs haven’t played for a few weeks now, so it would be unfair to expect them to be conditioned, especially given the quality of the opposition.’

Socceroos boss Graham Arnold is tipped to name a squad littered with A-League players ahead of the friendly against Lionel Messi’s Argentina on June 15 in Beijing

A-League golden boot winner Jamie Maclaren is expected to be in the Socceroos squad named after the Grand Final

It is anticipated Arnold will name the likes of Jamie Maclaren, Aiden O’Neill, Mat Leckie and Jordan Bos from Melbourne City, with Mariners striker Jason Cummings also likely to be picked.

Young guns Max Balard and Josh Nisbet loom as bolters if the energetic midfielders can lead Central Coast to victory in the decider.

Arnold also stated he has been ‘on the phone constantly’ to other players in Europe and Asia in recent weeks to confirm their availability ahead of the clash in Beijing.

The Socceroos squad will be named next week. 

World Cup winners Argentina have named an imposing team, featuring the likes of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, midfielder Alexis MacAllister and striker Julian Alvarez.

And of course, global superstar Messi.

Lionel Messi (pictured, at the 2022 World Cup) will captain a strong Argentina team when they face Australia for the first time since their close win in Qatar

Arnold praised fellow coach Ange Postecoglou following another impressive season in charge of Celtic in Scotland

Arnold went on to praise fellow coach Ange Postecoglou following yet another impressive season in charge of Celtic in Scotland.

It comes as speculation continues to mount that ‘Aussie Ange’ will land the vacant managerial role with Premier League giants Tottenham. 

‘He is an intelligent person who tends to make the right moves in his career,’ Arnold said.

‘It has been great to see him achieve sustained success with Celtic. Whatever he decides to do next … that is up to Ange.’