Argentine coach Alejandro Sabella has today revealed his initial 30 man squad for next month's World Cup in Brazil.
The surprise exclusion from the preliminary squad is Juventus hitman Carlos Tevez, Sabella instead opting for former Wigan man Franco Di Santo, who has scored 4 goals in 23 Werder Bremen appearances since signing for the Germans in the summer, although it is unlikely he will make the final 23 man squad.
Other key players not travelling to Brazil with the Albiceleste is Spurs winger Erik Lamela, who only made 9 appearances for the North Londoners this season and PSG midfielder Javier Pastore, who played in 44 games for the French champions this year.
The squad announced is of course due to be shortened to 23 on the 2nd of June; Di Santo, Gabriel Mercado and Fabian Rinuado are all expected to be dropped.
Argentina squad:
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AS Monaco), Mariano Andújar (Catania), Agustín Orion (Boca Juniors)
Defenders: Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Federico Fernández (Napoli), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon), José Maràa Basanta (Monterrey), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan), Nicolàs Otamendi (Atletico Miniero), Martín Demichelis (Manchester City), Gabriel Mercado (River Plate), Lisandro López (Getafe)
Midfielders: Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Ever Banega (Newell's Old Boys), Angel Di María (Real Madrid), Maximiliano Rodríguez (Newell's Old Boys), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan), Augusto Fernández (Celta Vigo), Enzo Pérez (Benfica), José Sosa (Atletico Madrid), Fabian Rinaudo (Catania)
Attackers: Sergio Agüero (Manchester City), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuaín (Napoli), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris St. Germain), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan), Franco Di Santo (Werder Bremen)
