- Manuel Lanzini has received his first Argentina call-up
- The midfielder has been in fine form for the Hammers this season, scoring eight goals, including the recent winner over Spurs at London Stadium
- The 24-year-old is in the squad for friendly fixtures against Brazil and Singapore
West Ham United midfielder Manuel Lanzini has been called-up to the Argentina national team squad for the first time.
The creative 24-year-old has been rewarded for his two outstanding seasons in English football and will join up with the South Americans for their upcoming fixtures against Brazil and Singapore.
Lanzini, signed from Al Jazira Club prior to the start of last season, initially on loan before he made his move permanent, has represented La Albiceleste at U20 level before, though never the senior team.
The West Ham talent was also due to represent his country at last summer’s Olympic games in Rio, but was forced to pull out with a knee injury.
He will now have the chance to turn out alongside the likes of Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Juventus’ Paulo Dybala – who are also in the squad – when Argentina face first five-time World Cup winners Brazil in Melbourne on Friday 6 June before travelling to Singapore to take on the hosts four days later.
Both fixtures are international friendlies, but Lanzini will be keen to impress ahead of the nation’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay, Venezuela and Peru next season.
Lanzini has had a fine season in Claret and Blue this term, performing as one of the Hammers’ standout players, scoring eight Premier League goals and subsequently bettering last season’s tally of six.
The midfielder has also won over the Claret and Blue Army with his incredible London derby record – nine of Lanzini’s 16 West Ham United goals have come against clubs from the capital.
Further, three have been against rivals Tottenham Hotspur, most recently in the London Stadium meeting between the sides earlier this month, when the diminutive midfielder’s goal was the only strike in the 1-0 victory.