Argentina announce final Fifa World Cup squad
Argentina coach Diego Maradona has named his final 23-man squad for the Fifa World Cup finals in South Africa.
World Cup legend Maradona has chosen to omit Newcastle United defender Fabricio Coloccini and Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi, but has found places for Liverpool winger Maxi Rodríguez and the uncapped Palermo midfielder Javier Pastore.
Veteran forward Martín Palermo has made the squad, and joins other attacking talents such as Lionel Messi, Carlos Tévez, Gonzalo Higuaín and the highly-rated Ángel Di Maria in a party captained by Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano.
Argentina are among the favourites for the tournament, but many have expressed their concern at Maradona’s lack of coaching experience. The 1986 World Cup-winning captain was this week involved in an incident that saw a cameraman admitted to hospital after being accidentally run over, with some believing that his influence could have a damaging effect on the team. But in Messi, he possesses the best player in the world.
“I don't want Messi stationed on the right touch line,” said the coach. "All the balls have to pass through him.”
Four players in the squad – Inter Milan’s Nicolás Burdisso, Walter Samuel and Diego Milito, and Bayern Munich’s Martín Demichelis – could all feature in Saturday’s Uefa Champions League final.
The Argentina 2010 Fifa World Cup squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andújar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon)
Defenders: Nicolás Burdisso (Inter Milan), Martín Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marseille), Nicolás Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Clemente Rodríguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garcé (Colon)
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Juan Sebastian Verón (Estudiantes), Maxi Rodríguez (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Ángel Di María (Benfica), Jonás Gutiérrez (Newcastle), Javier Pastore (Palermo)
Forwards: Sergio Agüero (Atletico Madrid), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Martín Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tévez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuaín (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona).
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