Controversial striker will not be in Russia with Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuian and Paulo Dybala preferred

MAURO ICARDI has been axed from Argentina’s World Cup squad – despite being Serie A’s top scorer this season.

The striker, 25, netted a crucial penalty on Sunday to take his league tally to 29 and send Inter Milan to the Champions League.

EPA Mauro Icardi has scored 29 goals for Inter Milan this season but misses out on Argentina squad

AP:Associated Press Mauro Icardi scored a penalty to help send Inter Milan to the Champions League on Sunday

But the Nerazzurri captain’s sensational form has not been enough to earn him a spot in the country’s star-studded squad.

Boss Jorge Sampaoli named Icardi in his initial 35-man list last week – having brought him in from the wilderness during Argentina’s qualifying campaign.

Yet the divisive frontman has not made the final cut, with Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala and Boca Juniors ace Cristian Pavon preferred.

Argentina begin their campaign against Iceland in Moscow on June 16. They will also face Croatia and Nigeria in Group D.

AFP or licensors Jorge Sampaoli as left Icardi out of the Argentina squad for the World Cup in Russia

Argentina squad in full Premier League players in bold GOALKEEPERS: Sergio Romero (Manchester United), Franco Armani (River Plate), Willy Caballero (Chelsea) DEFENDERS: Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla), Federico Fazio (Roma), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City), Cristian Ansaldi (Inter Milan), Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax) and Marcos Rojo (Manchester United) MIDFIELDERS: Ever Banega (Sevilla), Javier Mascherano (Hebei China Fortune), Eduardo Salvio (Benfica), Lucas Biglia (AC Milan), Angel Di Maria (PSG), Gio Lo Celso (PSG), Manuel Lanzini (West Ham), Maxi Meza (Independiente) and Marcos Acuna (Sporting Lisbon) STRIKERS: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus), Cristian Pavon (Boca Juniors) and Paulo Dybala (Juventus)

Despite the wealth of talent at their disposal they struggled to make it to Russia, needing a 3-1 win over Ecuador to seal their place on the final day of the qualification campaign.

Icardi earned just his fourth cap when he came off the bench in that clash after a turbulent few years in the international fold.

Getty - Contributor Icardi courted controversy when he married Wanda Nara, the ex-wife of former team-mate Maxi Lopez

Mauro Icardi doused with flour by Inter Milan team-mates in Jackass-style prank after training

Getty - Contributor Lionel Messi will lead Argentina at the World Cup after proving star man in nerve-racking qualifying campaign

Getty - Contributor Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in win-or-bust clash against Ecuador to send Argentina to the World Cup

He was touted as a future star for the South American nation when he was handed a debut in 2013 but did not feature for another four years.

His absence was rumoured to be down to his controversial relationship with Wanda Nara, the ex-wife of former team-mate – and close friend of Messi – Maxi Lopez.

Messi was even forced to deny claims his personal preferences had influenced squad selections.

AFP or licensors Mauro Icardi was back in the international fold during qualifying but has missed out on the World Cup squad

Getty Images - Getty Sergio Aguero and Nicolas Otamendi are included after winning the Premier League with Man City

REUTERS West Ham star Manuel Lanzini has also been called into the squad

Manchester United keeper Sergio Romero will be No1 at the tournament, with Chelsea’s Willy Caballero as backup.

Man City defender Nicolas Otamendi joins team-mate Aguero in the squad along with United left-back Marcos Rojo and West Ham playmaker Manuel Lanzini.