Javier Zanetti with 136 international caps has been excluded by Maradona
Diego Maradona’s selection was marked by delay and mystery. The journalists and press who were called in at 3 PM to Ezeiza, the AFA’s training grounds were kept waiting as Maradona who arrived shortly said he would talk to them after he called his players and then the AFA would publish the list.
However, the AFA website stopped functioning after 3 PM. There was no word on the team and anxiety mounted amongst the media and the waiting fans.
Rumours were floating around on social networking sites. Meanwhile, Maradona gave an interview to a journalist on the AFA payoll and ignored the other hundreds milling around the facilities. Finally, after hours of waiting, the AFA website came on a little after 7PM.
There were a number of eyebrows raised. No Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso, two leading lights in Inter’s success this season. Real Madrid’s Fernando Gago was also notably not included. But Gabriel Heinze whose defending has been quite erratic found a place. So did three players from the Argentine league, who are highly regarded within it but relatively unknown outside. They featured in a recent 4-0 victory over Haiti. Veterans Juan Sebastian Veron who led to Estudiantes to the Copa Libertadores last year and Martin Palermo, a Boca perennial also find themselves in the squad.
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andújar (Catania) and Diego Pozo (Colon).
Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Roma), Ariel Garcé (Colon), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marseille), Juan Manuel Insaurralde (Newell’s), Nicholas Otamendi (Velez), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Walter Samuel (Inter).
Midfielders: Sebastián Blanco (Lanús), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Jesus Dátolo (Napoli), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Javier Macherano (Liverpool), Juan Mercier (Argentinos Juniors), Javier Pastore (Huracan ), Maxi Rodriguez (Liverpool), Jose Sosa (Estudiantes), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes).
Forwards: Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Diego Milito (Inter), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid).