Argentina squad for Aviva announced
Published: July 28, 2010
World-class players such as Leo Messi, Carlos Tevez and the recalled Fernando Gago have all been named in the 24 man party.
The players were ordered to convene for the new stadium’s first international after Maradona’s unsurprising departure as manager last night.
The AFA last night refused to renew his contract after being knocked out by Germany in South Africa.
That means Segio Bastita, manager of the 2008 Olympic winning side, has been drafted in as caretaker. The squad was announced soon after Maradona’s dismissal, hinting that Bastita had known in advance of the decision.
The squad is made up entirely of European based players, including six players based in the Premier League, seven from La Liga and eight from Italy’s Serie A.
There is no place for either Esteban Cambiasso or Javier Zanetti, who were both omissions from the World Cup squad, while the locally based Juan Veron won’t be involved either.
Argentina squad to play Ireland on August 11th:
Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Mariano Andújar (Catania), Jesus Dátolo (Espanyol), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Diego Milito , Walter Samuel, Nicolas Burdisso (all Inter Milan), Maximiliano Rodriguez, Javier Mascherano, Emiliano Insua (all Liverpool), Carlos Tevez, Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Jonas Gutierrez, Fabricio Coloccini (both Newcastle), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marseille), Javier Pastore (Palermo), Angel Di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain, Fernando Gago (all Real Madrid), Ever Banega (Valencia).
Alan Smith
Alan Smith is ExtraTime features editor since February 2010. The Cork-based reporter is also a journalist with the Evening Echo. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90.
