Sunderland loanee Santiago Vergini has been called up by Argentina in a shock move by new boss Gerardo Martino.
The 26-year old defender has been named in Martino's 19-man squad for upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Hong Kong despite an up and down start to his season-long loan with the Black Cats.
Vergini, who is on-loan at Sunderland from Estudiantes for the second time, has been given a chance by former Newell's Old Boys boss Martino for the October 11 clash with Brazil in China which comes three days before the meeting with Hong Kong.
Alongside Vergini in the roster of the World Cup runners-up are Barcelona star Lionel Messi, Manchester City trio Sergio Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta and Martin Demichelis, Manchester United pair Angel Di Maria and Marcos Rojo, Tottenham winger Erik Lamela and Swansea City recruit Federico Fernandez.
Argentina squad for Brazil & Hong Kong friendlies
Goalkeepers
Nahuel Guzmán (UANL) Sergio Romero (Smapdoria)
Defenders
Santiago Vergini (Sunderland, *on loan from Estudiantes) Mateo Musacchio (Villarreal) Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City) Martín Demichelis (Manchester City) Marcos Rojo (Manchester United) Federico Fernández (Swansea City)
Midfielders
Javier Mascherano (Barcelona) Roberto Pereyra (Fiorentina) Lucas Biglia (Lazio) Javier Pastore (Paris Saint-Germain) Angel Di María (Manchester United) Erik Lamela (Tottenham) Enzo Pérez (Benfica) Nicolás Gaitán (Benfica)
Forwards
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) Gonzalo Higuaín (Napoli) Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
