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Two of the world’s best football players have been included in Portugal and Argentina’s provisional squads for the FIFA World Cup set to begin next month.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, arguably the world’s best footballers over the past decade, are in contention to be part of the Russian showdown, with each seeking a first World Cup win to cap their incredible careers.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos submitted the 35-man preliminary squad, which includes 11 members of the team that took part in the 2014 edition in Brazil.

A Seleção das Quinas are pooled alongside Spain, Iran and Morocco in Group B, and will kick-start their campaign against La Roja on 15 June.

Meanwhile, Argentina will be hoping to better their tournament record. The South Americans lost to Germany in extra time at the 2014 World Cup, before finishing as Copa América runners up in both 2015 and 2016.

The latter tournament prompted Lionel Messi to announce retirement from international duty, before recinding that decision as his team looked set to miss out on a World Cup place. The Barcelona star man’s return to the team boosted their performances, sealing a spot in Russia where they are put in Group D alongside Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria.

They are set to play their first game against Iceland on 16 June.

Here are the Portuguese and Argentine provisional squads in full;

Portugal squad

Coach: Fernando Santos

Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Olympique Lyonnais/France), Beto (Goztepe SK/Turkey), Rui Patricio (Sporting CP)

Defenders: Antunes (Getafe/Spain), Bruno Alves (Rangers/Scotland), Cedric (Southampton/England), Joao Cancelo (Internazionale/Italy), Jose Fonte (Dalian Aerbin/China PR), Luis Neto (Fenerbahce/Turkey), Mario Rui (Napoli/Italy), Nelson Semedo (Barcelona/Spain), Pepe (Besiktas/Turkey), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund/Germany), Ricardo (Porto), Rolando (Marseille/France), Ruben Dias (Benfica)

Midfielders: Adrien Silva (Leicester City/England), Andre Gomes (Barcelona/Spain), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/England), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting CP), Joao Mario (West Ham United/England), Joao Moutinho (Monaco/France), Manuel Fernandes (Lokomotiv Moscow/Russia), Rony Lopes (Monaco), Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers/England), Sergio Oliveira (Porto), William (Sporting CP)

Forwards: Andre Silva (AC Milan/Italy), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/Spain), Eder (Lokomotiv Moscow/Russia), Gelson Martins (Sporting CP), Goncalo Guedes (Valencia/Spain), Nani (Lazio/Italy), Paulinho (Braga), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas/Turkey)

 

Argentina squad

Coach: Jorge Sampaoli

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero, Nahuel Guzman, Willy Caballero, Franco Armani.

Defenders: Gabriel Mercado, Nicolás Otamendi, Federico Fazio, Nicolás Tagliafico, Marcos Rojo, Marcos Acuña, Ramiro Funes Mori, Cristian Ansaldi, Eduardo Salvio, Germán Pezzella.

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano, Ángel Di María, Ever Banega, Lucas Biglia, Manuel Lanzini, Gio Lo Celso, Ricardo Centurión, Guido Pizarro, Leandro Paredes, Maximiliano Meza, Enzo Pérez, Pablo Pérez, Rodrigo Battaglia.

Forwards: Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero, Gonzalo Higuaín, Paulo Dybala, Mauro Icardi Cristian Pavón, Lautaro Martínez y Diego Perotti.