BUENOS AIRES, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Argentinean midfielder Enzo Perez, who plays for River Plate, was called up to the national team on Saturday by coach Jorge Sampaoli ahead of the World Cup in Russia from June 14 to July 15.

Perez will replace Manuel Lanzini, from West Ham, who injured his right knee on Friday and will be out from six to eight months.

Perez, 32, was part of the squad which reached the final of the 2014 World Cup and played well, despite the 1-0 defeat to Germany in extra time.

"I am packing my things to be able to travel. I want to wake from the dream, although lamentably it happened because of an injury to a teammate. I wish him the best," Perez told the TyC Sports channel.

The former player for Benfica in Portugal and Valencia in Spain said he would be "at the orders of the coach" and would do his best to join the group.

In Russia 2018, the two-time world champions will play in Group D against Iceland on June 16, Croatia on June 21 and Nigeria on June 26.