Argentina: Maradona omits Inter pair

[Lazie]

Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso are set to miss the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ after not being included in coach Diego Maradona's 30-man preliminary squad.
The Inter Milan pair have been two of the key players for Serie A champions Inter Milan and have been integral in the team reaching the UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich. Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago and Barcelona central defender Gabriel Milito are other prominent absentees.
Inter, though, will be represented by striker Diego Milito, defender Walter Samuel while Bayern defender Martin Demichelis has also been selected. Five English-based players have been included - Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez, Newcastle pair Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Gutierrez and Liverpool duo Javier Mascherano and Maxi Rodriguez.
Colon defender Ariel Garce - who has one cap - Lanus midfielder Sebastian Blanco and Newell's Old Boys defender Juan Manuel Insaurralde are the surprise players. Martin Palermo could play in his first FIFA World Cup at the age of 36 after being selected following his achievements at Boca Juniors where he became their all-time top scorer.
Argentinos Juniors midfielder Juan Mercier, Colon keeper Diego Pozo, Estudiantes wing Jose Sosa (on loan from Bayern Munich) and Velez Sarsfield defender Nicolas Otamendi complete the nine-man home-based players list. Maradona did not speak to the local media while the Argentinian FA revealed the list of players to fight for the 23 berths in the official roster.
Argentina squad
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar/Netherlands), Mariano Andujar (Catania/Italy), Diego Pozo (Colon)

Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan/Italy), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich/Germany), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan/Italy), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille/France), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle/England), Juan Manuel Insaurralde (Newell's Old Boys), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garce (Colon)

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool/England), Sebastian Blanco (Lanus), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Jesus Datolo (Olympiacos/Greece), Jose Sosa (Estudiantes), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Liverpool/England), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina/Italy), Juan Mercier (Argentinos Juniors), Angel Di Maria (Benfica/Portugal), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle/England), Javier Pastore (Palermo/Italy)

Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid/Spain), Diego Milito (Inter Milan/Italy), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City/England), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid/Spain), Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Spain), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli/Italy)

[Gamma]

ongle one milito brother mek it....veron is a surprise pick of sorts, i guess he had a good season in argentina...

[Mosiah]

no riquelme?!?!

[Lazie]

no riquelme?!?!

He and Diego had a falling out. I think it was from the time Argentina was to play the USA. Roman walked out of the training camp and that was the end of his int'l career.

[Mosiah]

i was just kidding. did he really stand a chance?

[Lazie]

i was just kidding. did he really stand a chance?

Since 2010, 2 goals 8 assists. Veron has 3 goal, 3 assists. With the passes he has and the quality forwards they have, Roman could have done some damage (i think).

[Mosiah]

happy for veron still!

[Me]

ongle one milito brother mek it....veron is a surprise pick of sorts, i guess he had a good season in argentina...

The defense is quite weak.

The attack is loaded, he will probably carry Palermo, so a forward of a higher quality might be left at home.

He has a lot of trust in Veron (who has been in good form for Estudiantes), but I do wonder how he is going to manage in the world cup.

[Lazie]

The defense is quite weak.

The attack is loaded, he will probably carry Palermo, so a forward of a higher quality might be left at home.

He has a lot of trust in Veron (who has been in good form for Estudiantes), but I do wonder how he is going to manage in the world cup.

He did say he would be using 4 central defenders across the back.

[Hortical]

How yuh just pop those stats out of the thin air. Didn't know you are an Argie fan?

[Zeppo]

He has a lot of trust in Veron (who has been in good form for Estudiantes), but I do wonder how he is going to manage in the world cup.

That's a good question.

I didn't see Argentina's recent friendly against Germany (that they won 0-1) but from what I read Veron was the best player on the pitch.

[Lazie]

How yuh just pop those stats out of the thin air. Didn't know you are an Argie fan?

The leagues finish this weekend, suh mi start look at teams that can do a thing at the World Cup.

[Jawge]

Veron a surprise? Ah him bwoy dat fram way back when.

[Lazie]

Maradona confirms final squad

Diego Maradona has confirmed his final 23-man squad for the World Cup finals.
And Maradona has revealed once surprise in his selection with Colon's Ariel Garce winning a place on the plane to South Africa.
30-year-old defender has just one cap to his name, which came against Haiti two years ago.
Newcastle's Fabricio Coloccini was one of those from the initial 30-man squad that failed to make the cut.
Those who also failed to make the final selection were Newell's Old Boys defender Juan Manuel Insaurralde, Jose Sosa of Estudiantes, Olympiakos midfielder Jesus Datolo, Napoli forward Ezequiel Lavezzi, Lanus' Sebastian Blanco and Juan Mercier of Argentinos Juniors.
The final squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon)
Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Roma), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garce (Colon)
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Maxi Rodriguez (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Javier Pastore (Palermo)
Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona).

[Lazie]

Injury scare hits Messi, Argentina

Argentina superstar Lionel Messi handed coach Diego Maradona a 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ scare on Friday when he injured his right knee in a training match.
Barcelona star Messi immediately left the practice session, but the seriousness of the injury was played down by officials. "Messi is fine. It was only a knock and nothing else," said team official Nicolas Otamendi.
Argentina were training ahead of a pre-FIFA World Cup friendly match against Canada taking place on Monday before flying to South Africa for the finals next Friday.
Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes) and Sergio Agüero (Atletico Madrid) both joined up with the squad on Friday.
But Walter Samuel and Diego Milito (Inter Milan) and Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich) were missing as they are taking part in the UEFA Champions League final in Madrid on Saturday.