On paper there aren't many better teams than Argentina. Squad is as per previous post. But will the man with a more colourful World Cup history than perhaps anyone be able to mould them into a World Cup winning side? Of course Maradona has his critics. Using over 100 players in qualification, leaving out two European Cup winners from his final squad, and filling up the swear-box on live television...what's not to like?? Never a dull moment when Diego's around.
Messi is naturally the key as Maradona was in 86. Devastating for Barca, he only scored 4 goals in 18 qualifiers for La Albiceleste. Club v international tactical differences notwithstanding, it's difficult to believe this record will continue much longer. Ok, maybe his prime will come in the next World Cup when he'll be 26 but surely he'll make an impact this time around.
Or maybe it's time for Benfica's Di Maria to grab the headlines. He's the same age as Barca's finest and he's got the talent to come to the fore if Messi's (relative) struggles continue. Maybe he can take some column inches from his team mate...but he'll be struggling to do the same to his manager.
Between the sticks:
Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar)
Mariano Andujar (Catania)
Diego Pozo (Colon)
Kicking lumps:
Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield)
Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich)
Walter Samuel (Inter Milan)
Gabriel Heinze (Marseille
Nicolas Burdisso (AS Roma)
Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes)
Ariel Garce (Colon)
Mincing about:
Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle)
Maximiliano Rodriguez (Liverpool)
Javier Mascherano (Liverpool)
Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes)
Angel Di Maria (Benfica)
Javier Pastore (Palermo)
Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina)
Grabbing the glory:
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid)
Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors)
Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid)
Diego Milito (Inter Milan)
Carlos Tevez (Manchester City)
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