Argentina coach Jose Pekerman has included several member of last year's World Youth Championship winners in his squad for this summer's World Cup finals in Germany, including Barcelona starlet Lionel Messi.

However, he has been careful to add a wealth of experience to his squad as well, with Villarreal duo Juan Pablo Sorin and Juan Roman Riquelme, Javier Saviola of Sevilla and Manchester United's Gabriel Heinze all included.

"There is a permanent evolution with footballers. Several of the U-20 footballers have made themselves noticed," said Pekerman.

"Before it would have been impossible for players of this category to come into the A team."

The full squad is:

Goalkeepers: Roberto Abbondanzieri (Boca Juniors), Leonardo Franco (Atletico Madrid), Oscar Ustari (Independiente)

Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan), Gabriel Milito (Zaragoza), Juan Pablo Sorin (Villarreal), Fabricio Coloccini (Deportivo La Coruna), Leandro Cufre (Roma), Roberto Ayala (Valencia), Gabriel Heinze (Manchester United)

Midfielders: Maximiliano Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid), Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan), Juan Roman Riquelme (Villarreal), Lionel Scaloni (West Ham), Luis Gonzalez (Porto), Javier Mascherano (Corinthians), Pablo Aimar (Valencia)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Hernan Crespo (Chelsea), Carlos Tevez (Corinthians), Javier Saviola (Sevilla), Julio Cruz (Inter Milan), Rodrigo Palacio (Boca Juniors).