Argentina’s manager, Alejandro Sabella (photo: Juan Roleri/Télam)
The preliminary Argentine squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil was confirmed this afternoon by manager Alejandro Sabella.
The 30-man list, which will be reduced to 23 before the squad departs for Brazil, includes a call up for Martín Demichelis, who has not featured in the squad since November 2011. Other surprises include River Plate defender Gabriel Mercado and Catania’s Fabián Rinaudo. However, Carlos Tevez, who has over 60 caps and helped his club Juventus win the Italian first division, was left out. Star player Lionel Messi is the squad captain.
The World Cup kicks off on 12th June, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with Argentina’s first game three days later against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Rio de Janeiro.
The full squad
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero, Mariano Andújar, Agustín Orion.
Defenders: Ezequiel Garay, Federico Fernández, Pablo Zabaleta, Marcos Rojo, José María Basanta, Hugo Campagnaro, Nicolás Otamendi, Martín Demichelis, Gabriel Mercado, Lisandro López.
Midfielders: Fernando Gago, Lucas Biglia, Javier Mascherano, Ever Banega, Angel Di María, Maximiliano Rodríguez, Ricardo Alvarez, Augusto Fernández, Enzo Pérez, José Sosa y Fabián Rinaudo.
Strikers: Sergio Agüero, Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuaín, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Rodrigo Palacio, Franco Di Santo.
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