Argentina final 23-man World Cup squad
Argentina have finally announced their final 23 man squad for the World Cup with just ten days remaining, as reported by Sky Sports, becoming the last of the expected contenders for the tournament to release their definitive list.
With the deadline set at 11pm for the submission of a final squad, the Argentines picked the 23 they hope can lead them to World Cup glory, with a number of current Premier League stars named in the team, while a number linked with a move to England will also be ones to watch.
Manchester City trio Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Demichelis and Sergio Aguero have all made the final cut for the trip to Brazil, while Angel Di Maria – linked with a move to Manchester United and Liverpool – has also been named.
The Real Madrid winger has experienced a sublime season, which culminated in a man-of-the-match performance in the Champions League final, having successfully fought for his place at the Bernabeu following Gareth Bale’s big-money transfer.
Other names that have featured on the gossip columns of late include those of Enzo Perez, Ezequiel Garay and Ezequiel Lavezzi have all come into the reckoning for manager Alejandro Sabella, while the familiar faces of Javier Mascherano and Maxi Rodriguez are all on the plane as well.
Carlos Tevez is excluded as expected due to his ongoing disagreement with Sabella, leaving the most high-profile absentee to be Valencia’s Ever Banega, with his loan spell with Newell’s OLd Boys proving not to be enough to dislodge Real Madrid reject Fernando Gago from the squad.
Aguero is by far the star name to come from the Premier League, but he will be no means guaranteed a place in the starting XI for the Albiceleste, with Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Levezzi and Rodrigo Palacio all rivaling him for a place up front.
Argentina World Cup 23-Man Squad:
Gaolkeepers: Sergio Romero (Sampdoria), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors)
Defenders: Pablo Zabaleta (Man City), Federico Fernandez (Napoli), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Man City), Jose Basanta (Monterrey)
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Fernando Gago (Boca), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell’s Old Boys), Enzo Perez (Benfica)
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Man City), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris St Germain), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter)