Barcelona set to move for Liverpool's Javier Mascherano as Pep Guardiola seeks new additions

Barcelona are set to once again express their interest in luring Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano to the Nou Camp, after coach Pep Guardiola stated his desire to bolster his squad ahead of the new season.

Guardiola, in a press conference earlier today, admitted that he would not rule out any new additions ahead of the closing of the transfer window, and according to television channel TV3, the club are looking to complete a deal for the Liverpool enforcer before the deadline on August 31.

Barcelona are in the hunt for a defensive midfielder following the departure of Yaya Toure to Manchester City, and the collapse of the proposed deal for Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal, with the 26-year-old Mascherano now their number one priority.

Mascherano has publicly stated his intention to leave Anfield to further his career, and following discussions with international colleague Lionel Messi, the player believes that Barcelona would fulfill his requirements.

Last week, Blaugrana sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta passed comment on Mascherano, insisting that the player does not feature in the clubs’ plans for the season, but they have also been linked with an offer of €15 million (£12.2m) plus Aleksander Hleb to land the former West Ham United and River Plate star.

Read the full story

Germany rampage, butcher Argentina 4-0

Germany tore Argentina apart to book their place in the semi-finals and, for now at least, end Diego Maradona's dream of winning the World Cup as coach to go with his victory as captain in 1986.

Inspired by Bastian Schweinsteiger and two-goal hero Miroslav Klose, Joachim Loew's side scored four times for the third game at this tournament in what was a devastating attacking display.
Klose found the net only three times in the Bundesliga all season in a miserable campaign for Bayern Munich but he has now beaten that tally at this tournament, as well as moving to within a goal of Ronaldo, who with 15 goals, is the all-time highest scorer at World Cup finals.

After Thomas Mueller's early header, Germany coped with everything Argentina could throw at them before finishing off Maradona's men with a lethal late burst.
Following Brazil's self-destruction against the Dutch on Friday, Germany became the latest European team to see off a highly fancied South American side, and they move into the last four looking in good shape to become world champions for the first time since 1990.
At times this win was reminiscent of the way Germany had ripped through England's backline in the second round a week ago, with Argentina caught out by their speed and incisiveness on the counter-attack as they chased the game.
The only cloud on Germany's horizon is that the impressive Mueller picked up a booking that means he will miss the last-four clash with Paraguay or Spain, but Loew still has much to savour from this match.
Mueller opened the scoring after only three minutes when Schweinsteiger swung in a free-kick from the left and he escaped the Argentina defence to beat Sergio Romero with a downward header that the keeper got a leg to but could not keep out.
Klose, who also won his 100th cap for Germany, should have made it 2-0 when Mueller broke into the area down the right and squared for him in front of goal. But he fired wastefully over, not that it appeared to matter much at that point.
With Lionel Messi finding it difficult to impose himself on the game thanks to the close attention of Schweinsteiger, Argentina's response was largely limited to shots from distance.
They did improve as half-time approached and Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain both forced Manuel Neuer into low saves, but Germany continued to threaten on the break.
Only after the interval did Argentina manage a spell of sustained pressure, and they threatened almost immediately when Di Maria let fly from outside the box and saw the ball fizz narrowly wide.
For a good 20 minutes, Maradona's men dominated possession and Carlos Tevez had a shot blocked superbly blocked by Per Mertesacker while Germany keeper Neuer was kept busy as shots peppered his goal.
But, after wave after wave of Argentina attacks had been frustrated, Loew's side hit back with a lethal sucker-punch to seal victory with two near-identical goals in quick succession.
First, Podolski burst into the box down the left and squared to give Klose the easiest of tap-ins to make it 2-0, with the striker walking the ball over the line.
Then, with Argentina still rocking, Schweinsteiger weaved his way down the same flank and crossed for Arne Freidrich to bundle the ball in at the near post.
The game was up for the South American side, and neither the jaded Messi on the pitch nor Maradona off it could lift them for any sort of belated response.
Fittingly, the final word went to Klose, who volleyed home Germany's fourth from Mesut Oezil's cross in the last minute - his 14th World Cup goal - after the imperious Schweinsteiger had brought the ball forward again.

Argentina	0-4	Germany	FT
	(HT 0-1)	Muller, 3 Klose, 67, 89 Friedrich, 74
Team
Argentina 22 Romero 02 Demichelis 04 Burdisso 06 Heinze 15 Otamendi (23 Pastore, 70) 07 Di Maria (16 Aguero, 76) 14 Mascherano 20 Maxi 09 Higuain 10 Messi 11 Tevez		Germany 01 Neuer 03 Friedrich 16 Lahm 17 Mertesacker 20 Boateng (02 Jansen, 72) 06 Khedira (18 Kroos, 78) 07 Schweinsteiger 08 Ozil 10 Podolski 11 Klose 13 Muller (15 Trochowski, 83)
01 Pozo, 21 Andujar, 03 Rodriguez, 12 Garce, 13 Samuel, 05 Bolatti, 08 Veron, 17 Gutierrez, 23 Pastore, 16 Aguero, 18 Palermo, 19 Milito		Substitutes: 12 Wiese, 22 Butt, 02 Jansen, 05 Tasci, 14 Badstuber, 04 Aogo, 15 Trochowski, 18 Kroos, 21 Marin, 09 Kiessling, 19 Cacau, 23 Gomez
Venue: Green Point Stadium Referee: R Irmatov Attendance: 64,100

Read the full story

Argentina to meet Germany in the quarter-finals after defeating Mexico

Argentina disposed of Mexico to seal a quarter-final tie against Germany - but Diego Maradona's side were aided by another terrible decision on a day of controversy at the World Cup.

Just as England had been incensed earlier on Sunday when a Frank Lampard shot that clearly crossed the goal-line was not awarded in their match against Germany, so Mexico had the right to feel aggrieved by another example of awful officiating.
Javier Aguirre's side probably edged an engrossing opening phase to the contest, but they never recovered after Carlos Tevez headed Argentina in front despite being yards offside when the ball was played to him by Lionel Messi.

It was a decision that prompted the Mexican side to surround the linesman in the aftermath of the goal being awarded and led to a melee as the referee tried to leave the field at the break.
Mexico's prospects of clawing their way back into the contest faded after Ricardo Osorio gifted possession to Gonzalo Higuain, who slotted home his fourth goal of the competition to give Argentina breathing space by the break.
And Tevez's sensational second-half strike ensured that Maradona's team continued their excellent form in South Africa with their fourth straight win of the tournament.
They can now focus on gaining a measure of revenge on Germany, who knocked them out of the 2006 World Cup at the quarter-final stage after a penalty shoot-out.
But the match will doubtless leave a bitter taste in the mouth for Mexico, who pulled a goal back through Javier Hernandez.
El Tri were intent on avenging their defeat against Argentina in 2006 but have now bowed out of the last five World Cups at the round of 16 stage.
Until Argentina took a grip on the tie by scoring twice in eight first-half minutes it had been a fascinating contest between two sides that were obviously comfortable in possession.
There were some wonderful passages of play as both sides enjoyed periods when they probed their opponent's defensive structure with crisp passing and intelligent movement.
Carlos Salcido crashed a long-range effort against the crossbar and Andres Guardado shot narrowly wide as Mexico found space in front of an Argentina backline that many believe to be a possible weak link in an otherwise gifted side.
There had been relatively little to alarm the Mexican side when Tevez struck his controversial opener, which came after his initial effort had been smothered by Oscar Perez and Messi hooked the rebound back into the box.
The goal clearly rattled the Mexicans, particularly after they saw a replay on the big screen inside Soccer City and surrounded the guilty linesman in angry protest.
Several Argentine players, waiting for the restart, joined the fray, perhaps fearing the goal would be ruled out - and there was confusion inside the ground but Tevez's headed finish stood.
Mexico only had themselves to blame for the Albiceleste's second after Osorio, under no immediate pressure, scuffed a pass close to the edge of his penalty area, allowing Higuain to snatch the ball before rounding Perez and slotting home.
Higuain should probably have sealed Argentina's place in the last eight before the break but headed wide from six yards, while Mexico's Manchester United-bound Javier Hernandez was inches from connecting with a cross in injury time.
The Tevez goal was clearly still a source of frustration and several Mexicans surrounded Italian referee Roberto Rosetti and his team as they made their way from the field.
Within seconds players from both teams, plus the ever-involved Maradona, had formed a scrum that threatened to boil over.
Poor officiating and sloppy play had nothing to do with the decisive third goal, which came shortly after the restart when Tevez rifled the ball into the top corner with an unstoppable long-range effort.
Mexico might have thrown in the towel but continued to press, with Hernandez heading wide again and Gabriel Heinze clearing off the line from substitute Guillermo Franco.
They did pull one back when the previously profligate Hernandez turned beautifully to lose the flat-footed Martin DeMichelis before burying a shot beyond Sergio Romero.
Messi, who had a quiet second half, almost scored his first of the tournament late on after a mazy run but his shot was well saved.

Argentina	3-1	Mexico	FT
Tevez, 25, 52 Higuain, 33	(HT 2-0)	Hernandez, 71
Team
Argentina 22 Romero 02 Demichelis 04 Burdisso 06 Heinze 15 Otamendi 07 Di Maria (17 Gutierrez, 79) 14 Mascherano 20 Maxi (23 Pastore, 87) 09 Higuain 10 Messi 11 Tevez (08 Veron, 69)		Mexico 01 Perez 02 Rodriguez 03 Salcido 04 Marquez 05 Osorio 16 Juarez 06 Torrado 18 Guardado (09 Franco, 61) 14 Hernandez 17 Giovani 21 Bautista (07 Barrera, 46)
01 Diego Pozo, 21 Mariano Andujar, 03 Rodriguez, 12 Ariel Garce, 13 Samuel, 05 Bolatti, 08 Veron, 17 Gutierrez, 23 Pastore, 16 Aguero, 18 Martin Palermo, 19 Milito		Substitutes: 13 Ochoa, 23 Michel, 12 Aguilar , 15 Moreno, 19 Magallon, 20 Torres, 07 Barrera, 08 Castro, 09 Franco, 10 Blanco, 11 Vela, 22 Alberto Medina
Venue: Soccer City Referee: R Rosetti Attendance: 84,377

Read the full story

Martin Palermo said the trust Maradona

Argentina won their third straight game at the 2010 World Cup to top Group B and eliminate a Greek side that paid for their almost complete lack of ambition.

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel knew his team would probably require a victory to progress bu he again stuck with the defensive tactics that he feels he must use if his side is to succeed against technically superior opponents.
His plan of keeping it tight against Argentina and striking on the counter-attack unravelled when Martin Demichelis smashed home the opening goal of a largely forgettable contest with 13 minutes left.
The Bayern Munich defender pounced after his initial header had struck Diego Milito and rebounded invitingly - and he crashed the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the six-yard box.
Lionel Messi, skippering his side in the absence of the rested Javier Mascherano, had a frustrating evening as he received close attention from his opponents but he almost struck a second after a jinking run ended with a thunderous strike that crashed against the post.

But the second goal did come when another Messi strike was palmed into the path of substitute striker Martin Palermo, who slotted home with his right foot.
Exactly 24 years after scoring his infamous "Hand of God" goal against England at the 1986 World Cup, coach Diego Maradona, leapt for joy in his technical area.
His team will play Mexico on Sunday in the round of 16, with South Korea qualifying from second place in Group B.
But the legendary Argentine had cut a frustrated figure for most of the evening as his team dominated territory and possession but often struggled to break down well-organised opponents.
Sotirios Papastathopoulos man-marked Messi, following him faithfully all over the park as the Argentine skipper tried to find some space from which to exert an influence on the game.
It was a tactic that spoiled the contest as a spectacle but saw Rehhagel's team successfully reach the interval on level terms.
Argentina, with seven changes from the side that defeated South Korea 4-1, stroked the ball around with ease in the middle of the park but did not really threaten Tzorvas's goal until striker Sergio Aguero drew a save with a crisp strike from a wide position after 18 minutes.
Tzorvas tipped over long-range strikes from fit-again Juan Sebastian Veron and Messi, while Maxi Rodriguez was denied from 14 yards and Loukas Vyntra blocked from Diego Milito.
But as the opening half wore on there were signs that Greece's negativity, combined with their willingness to break up play by fouling the opposition, was starting to frustrate Argentina.
And there had been the occasional indication that Greece could trouble the Albiceleste's backline, with two long-range passes in particular catching Demichelis out of position.
Even so, Greece, who lost 4-0 to Argentina at the 1994 World Cup in a match that saw Maradona score his 34th and final international goal, had not mustered an effort at goal by the interval and the superb atmosphere at kick-off had waned considerably.
Unfortunately, the contest somehow managed to deteriorate further in the opening minutes of the second half, although Greece did at least get a shot at goal.
Demichelis again found himself isolated after another long ball towards Georgios Samaras, who looked set to pounce after a slip by the Bayern Munich defender but the Greek forward shot wide.
There was a continued lack of urgency to the contest, although virtually everything of worth came from Maradona's side, with Tzorvas palming a Messi free-kick around the post and saving a header from defensive midfielder Mario Bolatti.
For all Greece's defensive exploits they almost gifted their opponents a goal with a piece of comical defending when Tzorvas smashed a clearance into Vangelis Moras and was slightly fortunate to see the ball fly wide of his goal.
But after Argentina opened the scoring, the Greek side fell away.
Reflecting on their second World Cup campaign, they will have to be content with having registered their first World Cup win, having beaten Nigeria on Thursday.

Greece	0-2	Argentina	FT
	(HT 0-0)	Demichelis, 77 Martin Palermo, 89
Team
Greece 12 Tzorvas 05 Moras 08 Papadopoulos 11 Vyntra 15 Torosidis (03 Patsatzoglou, 55) 16 Kyrgiakos 19 Papaststhopoulos 06 Tziolis 10 Karagounis (04 Spyropoulos, 46) 21 Katsouranis (18 Ninis, 54) 07 Samaras		Argentina 22 Romero 02 Demichelis 03 Rodriguez 04 Burdisso 15 Otamendi 05 Bolatti 08 Veron 20 Maxi (07 Di Maria, 63) 10 Messi 16 Aguero (23 Pastore, 77) 19 Milito (18 Martin Palermo, 80)
01 Chalkias, 13 Michail Sifakis, 02 Seitaridis, 04 Spyropoulos, 22 Malezas, 03 Patsatzoglou, 18 Ninis, 09 Charisteas, 14 Salpingidis, 17 Gekas, 20 Kapetanos		Substitutes: 01 Diego Pozo, 21 Mariano Andujar, 06 Heinze, 12 Ariel Garce, 13 Samuel, 07 Di Maria, 14 Mascherano, 23 Pastore, 09 Higuain, 11 Tevez, 18 Martin Palermo
Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium Referee: R Irmatov Attendance: 38,891

Read the full story

First Hat-trick in World Cup 2010 by Gonzalo Higuain

Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain scored a hat-trick as Argentina saw off South Korea at Soccer City to all but book their place in the last 16 of the World Cup.

Higuain struck once in the first half and twice in quick succession after the break as Diego Maradona's side made it two wins out of two in Group B and fired another warning that they are one of the teams to beat in South Africa.

An own goal from Park Chu-Young got Argentina off to the perfect start before Higuain nodded in, and after Martin Dimichelis' error allowed Lee Chung-Yong to pull a goal back, Maradona's side got the goals their dominance perhaps deserved.

It was an authority they had exerted from the first whistle and, despite a spell of South Korean pressure in the second half as they pressed for an equaliser, Argentina were thoroughly deserving of the points.

South Korea coach Huh Jung-Moo, who played against Maradona at the 1986 World Cup, saw his team struggle to live with Argentina's quick tempo and the quality of their pass-and-move football.

They took the lead when Lionel Messi's free-kick from the left hit the unfortunate Park Chu-Young on the knee before flying in and the goal buoyed an already buzzing Albiceleste as they continued to attack the South Korea goal with pace and in numbers.

South Korea's brief forays forward were resulting in the occasional shot from range, with Ki Sung-Yeung's 25-yard screamer flying narrowly over, but after Carlos Tevez had drilled a free-kick inches too high, Argentina doubled their lead thanks to more shaky defending.

This time, Messi and Maxi Rodriguez were allowed all the time and space they wanted to take a quick free-kick down the left and when Maxi's cross was flicked on by Nicolas Burdisso, Higuain had the simple task of nodding in.

Angel di Maria then forced a flying save from Jung Sung-Ryong, and Messi thrilled the crowd with a brilliantly jinking run before clipping a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box.

But with half-time looming, Dimichelis handed South Korea an unlikely lifeline. Caught between deciding to clear his lines or pass back to his goalkeeper he did neither, and Lee nipped in to steal the ball off him and superbly finish past the advancing Sergio Romero.

Suddenly there was a game on, and the teams traded attacks after the break.

Higuain's close-range finish brought a stunning save from Jung, and Tevez forced another save from Jung with his 20-yard drive, while at the other end Yeom Ki-Hun wasted a golden chance to get South Korea back on level terms as he shot wide when through one-on-one with Romero after Lee's fine pass.

Yeom paid the price when Argentina counter-attacked, and after Messi's shot hit the post Higuain tapped in. But they saved their best for last as Messi's stunning chip enabled Sergio Aguero to cross for Higuain to head home to complete his treble.

It was the first World Cup hat-trick since Portugal's Pauleta in 2002 and the first from an Argentine since Gabriel Batistuta in 1998.

Argentina	4-1	Korea Republic	FT
Park Chu-Young (og), 16 Higuain, 33, 76, 80	(HT 2-1)	Lee Chung-Yong, 45+1
Team
Argentina 22 Romero 02 Demichelis 06 Heinze 13 Samuel (Burdisso, 23) 07 Di Maria 14 Mascherano 17 Gutierrez 20 Maxi 09 Higuain (Bolatti, 82) 10 Messi 11 Tevez (Aguero, 75)		Korea Republic 18 Jung Sung-Ryong 02 Oh Beom Seok 04 Cho Yong-Hyung 12 Lee Young-Pyo 14 Lee Jung-Soo 07 Park Ji-Sung 08 Kim Jung-Woo 16 Ki Sung-Yeung (Kim Nam-Il, 46) 17 Lee Chung-Yong 10 Park Chu-Young (Lee Dong-Gook, 81) 19 Yeom Ki-Hun
Substitutes: 01 Diego Pozo, 21 Mariano Andujar, 03 Rodriguez, 04 Burdisso, 12 Ariel Garce, 15 Otamendi, 05 Bolatti, 08 Veron, 23 Pastore, 16 Aguero, 18 Martin Palermo, 19 Milito		Substitutes: 01 Lee Woon-Jae, 21 Kim Young-Kwang, 03 Hyung-ll Kim, 15 Kim Dong-Jin, 22 Cha Du-Ri , 23 Kang Min-Soo, 05 Kim Nam-Il, 06 Kim Bo-Kyung, 13 Kim Jae-Sung, 09 Ahn Jung-Hwan, 11 Lee Seung-Youl, 20 Lee Dong-Gook
Venue: Soccer City Referee: F De Bleeckere Attendance: 82,174

Read the full story

Messi dominating the match against Nigeria

Argentina got their 2010 World Cup campaign off to a winning start and silenced some of their doubters with a dominant performance against Nigeria in Johannesburg.

While not quite the sum of their supremely talented parts, Diego Maradona's side were able to capitalise on the space fatally afforded them by their opponents to register a well-deserved victory, secured through a headed goal from Gabriel Heinze.

Nigeria had their chances, primarily down the left where makeshift Argentine right-back Jonas Gutierrez was often exposed, but forward Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi was wasteful.

A vociferous Ellis Park crowd showed their appreciation for the entertainment on show, particularly that provided by Argentine forward Lionel Messi, who was the standout performer, creating opportunities for others and on a number of occasions drawing superb saves from impressive Super Eagles keeper Vincent Enyeama.

South Korea's comfortable 2-0 win over Greece in Group B's other fixture on Saturday means the winner of next Thursday's match between them and Argentina will be in pole position to qualify for the last 16.

Such an outcome would represent an extremely satisfying stride forward for an Argentina side who have polarised opinion in the build up to this tournament between those who identify them as challengers because of the sheer abundance of talent in their ranks and those who hark back to a turbulent qualifying campaign and the perceived flaws in coach Maradona as reasons to write them off.

While Maradona remained a lively source of fascination on the touchlines, his heir apparent, and the man predicted by many to stamp his authority on this World Cup as his iconic coach did in Mexico in 1986, Barcelona's Fifa World Player of the Year Messi, was a magnetic focal point on the pitch.

Operating in a front three alongside Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez of Manchester City - a trio that has scored 105 club goals between them this season - Messi produced a performance befitting of his billing.

Twice in the first 20 minutes Messi ran at the Nigeria defence and provided scoring opportunities for Higuain, but the first the Real Madrid striker put past the near post from three yards out and then saw his angled drive from further out blocked by Enyeama.

Sandwiched between these two chances Argentina took the lead. Tevez's superb curling shot wad tipped over by Enyeama for a corner, from which Juan Sebastian Veron provided the cross for Heinze to dive in unmarked and head home.

The South Americans remained the more likely to score, but they were either wasteful or unable to beat Enyeama, who kept his side as a credible threat in the match with further impressive saves from Higuain and Messi.

Nigeria's preparations for this tournament have been far from ideal, with Swede Lars Lagerback effectively given only three weeks to prepare his squad for the tournament after replacing Shaibu Amodu as coach and star midfielder John Mikel Obi ruled out with a knee injury but they remained committed to the cause throughout.

Had Obasi been better able to capitalise on the poor positional play of Gutierrez with greater accuracy in his shooting in the first half, Taye Taiwo's toe-poke shot been a foot to the left, or had substitute Kala Uche shown greater composure when unmarked to keep his shot under the bar late on the Africans could have salvaged what would have been an undeserved draw.

There was still time in the final few minutes for Messi to slightly blot his copybook by allowing Enyeama to save from six yards when he should have scored but it is harsh to take away from what was a superb display from the forward and an encouraging victory for Maradona's men.

Argentina	1-0	Nigeria	FT
Heinze, 6	(HT 1-0)
Team
Argentina 22 Romero 02 Demichelis 06 Heinze 13 Samuel 07 Di Maria (Burdisso, 85) 08 Veron (Maxi, 74) 14 Mascherano 17 Gutierrez 09 Higuain (Milito, 79) 10 Messi 11 Tevez		Nigeria 01 Enyeama 02 Yobo 03 Taiwo (Uche, 74) 06 Shittu 17 Odiah 14 Kaita 15 Haruna 20 Etuhu 08 Yakubu 18 Obinna (Martins, 52) 19 Obasi Ogbuke (Odemwingie, 60)
Substitutes: 01 Diego Pozo, 21 Mariano Andujar, 03 Rodriguez, 04 Burdisso, 12 Ariel Garce, 15 Otamendi, 05 Bolatti, 20 Maxi, 23 Pastore, 16 Aguero, 18 Martin Palermo, 19 Milito		Substitutes: 16 Ejide, 23 Aiyenugbu, 05 Afolabi, 21 Echiejile, 10 Brown, 12 Uche, 13 Yussuf, 22 Adeleye, 04 Kanu, 07 Utaka, 09 Martins, 11 Odemwingie
Venue: Ellis Park Referee: Stark Attendance: 50,389

Read the full story

Argentina

Nickname(s) La Albiceleste (White and Sky blue) Association Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (Argentine Football Association) Confederation CONMEBOL (South America) Head coach Diego Maradona Captain Javier Mascherano Most caps Javier Zanetti (136) Top scorer Gabriel Batistuta (56) Home stadium El Monumental Estadio Gigante de Arroyito. FIFA code ARG FIFA ranking 7 Highest FIFA ranking 1 (March 2007, October 2007 – June 2008) Lowest FIFA ranking 24 (August 1996) Elo ranking 7 Highest Elo ranking 1 (most recently in July 2007, 34 times in total) Lowest Elo ranking 28 (June 1990) Home Colours Away Colours First international  Uruguay 2 – 3 Argentina  (Montevideo, Uruguay; 16 May 1901) Biggest win  Argentina 12 – 0 Ecuador  (Montevideo, Uruguay; 22 January 1942) Biggest defeat  Czechoslovakia 6 – 1 Argentina  (Helsingborg, Sweden; 15 June 1958)  Uruguay 5 – 0 Argentina  (Guayaquil, Ecuador; 16 December 1959)  Argentina 0 – 5 Colombia  (Buenos Aires, Argentina; 5 September 1993)  Bolivia 6 – 1 Argentina  (La Paz, Bolivia; 1 April 2009) World Cup Appearances 14 (First in 1930) Best result Winners, 1978 and 1986 Copa América Appearances 38 (First in 1916) Best result Winners, 1921, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1937, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1991, 1993 Confederations Cup Appearances 3 (First in 1992) Best result Winners, 1992

The Argentina national football team is the national association football team of Argentina and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association (AFA). Argentina has won the most international titles by any national team (19), a record shared with Uruguay. Argentina is one of the most successful national football teams in the world, and is currently seventh in the FIFA world rankings. The team has twice won the FIFA World Cup, in 1978 and 1986. Argentina has won the Copa América 14 times, a record shared with Uruguay, won the Confederations Cup in 1992 and the Olympic Football Tournament in 2004 and 2008. Argentina and France are the only national teams which have won the three most important men's titles recognized by FIFA: the World Cup, the Confederations Cup, and the Olympic tournament. They have both also won their respective continental championship (Copa América for Argentina, and UEFA European Football Championship for France). History La Selección (The selection), also known as the Albicelestes (Light blue and whites), has appeared in four World Cup finals, including the first final in 1930, which they lost 4–2 to Uruguay. Argentina won in their next final in 1978, beating the Netherlands 3–1. Argentina, led by Diego Maradona won again in 1986, a 3–2 victory over West Germany. Their most recent World Cup final was in 1990, which they lost 1–0 to Germany by a much disputed penalty. Argentina's World Cup winning managers are César Luis Menotti in 1978, and Carlos Bilardo in 1986. Argentina has been very successful in the Copa América, winning it fourteen times and also winning the 'extra' South American Championships in 1941, 1945 and 1946. The team also won the FIFA Confederations Cup and the Kirin Cup, both in 1992, and an Argentine team (with only three players of over 23 years of age included in the squad) won the Olympics football tournaments in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008. Argentina also won six of the fourteen football competitions at the Pan American Games, winning in 1951, 1955, 1959, 1971, 1995 and 2003. In March 2007, Argentina reached the top of the FIFA World Rankings for the first time. World Cup 2006 Argentina had been eliminated at the group stage at Korea/Japan 2002 FIFA World Cup, although they had been among the pre-tournament favorites. There was a high expectation of a better performance in the Germany 2006. Argentina qualified for the knockout stages with wins over Ivory Coast (2–1) and Serbia and Montenegro (6–0), and a 0–0 draw with the Netherlands.....

In the round of sixteen, Argentina defeated Mexico 2–1 in extra-time, the winning goal by Maxi Rodríguez winning an online poll organized by FIFA, as the best goal of the World Cup. In the quarter final, they lost 4–2 in a penalty shootout against hosts Germany after a 1–1 draw. A brawl erupted between the Argentines and Germans after the game ended. Unused substitute Leandro Cufré was sent off for kicking Per Mertesacker, while Maxi Rodríguez hit Bastian Schweinsteiger from behind. Following an investigation of video evidence, FIFA doled out 4-game and 2-game suspensions for Cufre and Rodriguez, respectively. Germany's Torsten Frings was suspended for the semifinal match for punching Julio Ricardo Cruz. Shortly after the elimination, coach José Pekerman resigned from his position. AFA appointed Alfio Basile, who had previously managed the national side during the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Copa América 2007 Argentina won all three games in the group stage, beating United States, Colombia and Paraguay. After convincing victories over Peru and Mexico in the quarter final and semi final respectively, they were favorites to beat Brazil in the final, but were defeated 0–3. Competitive record FIFA World Cup Record Year Round Position GP W D* L GS GA 1930 Second Place 2 5 4 0 1 18 9 1934 Round 1 9 1 0 0 1 2 3 1938 to 1954 Withdrew - - - - - - - 1958 Round 1 13 3 1 0 2 5 10 1962 Round 1 10 3 1 1 1 2 3 1966 Quarter-finals 5 4 2 1 1 4 2 1970 Did not qualify - - - - - - - 1974 Round 2 8 6 1 2 3 9 12 1978 Champions 1 7 5 1 1 15 4 1982 Round 2 12 5 2 0 3 8 7 1986 Champions 1 7 6 1 0 14 5 1990 Second Place 2 7 2 3 2 5 4 1994 Round of 16 9 4 2 0 2 8 6 1998 Quarter-finals 6 5 3 1 1 10 4 2002 Round 1 18 3 1 1 1 2 2 2006 Quarter-finals 5 5 3 2 0 11 3 2010 Qualified Total 15/19 2 Titles 65 33 13 19 113 74 FIFA Confederations Cup Year Round GP W D* L GS GA 1992 Champions 2 2 0 0 7 1 1995 Second Place 3 1 1 1 5 3 1997 to 2003 Did not qualify - - - - - - 2005 Second Place 5 2 2 1 10 10 2009 Did not qualify - - - - - - Total 1 Title 10 5 3 2 22 14 *Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks. **Gold background color indicates that the tournament was won. Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil. Olympic medal record Men's football[7] Silver 1928 Amsterdam Team Silver 1996 Atlanta Team Gold 2004 Athens Team Gold 2008 Beijing Team Copa América Total: 14 Titles Year Position Year Position Year Position 1916 Second place 1939 Withdrew 1967 Second place 1917 Second place 1941 Champions 1975 Round 1 1919 Third place 1942 Second place 1979 Round 1 1920 Second place 1945 Champions 1983 Round 1 1921 Champions 1946 Champions 1987 Fourth place 1922 Fourth place 1947 Champions 1989 Third place 1923 Second place 1949 Withdrew 1991 Champions 1924 Second place 1953 Withdrew 1993 Champions 1925 Champions 1955 Champions 1995 Quarter-finals 1926 Second place 1956 Third place 1997 Quarter-finals 1927 Champions 1957 Champions 1999 Quarter-finals 1929 Champions 1959 Champions 2001 Withdrew 1935 Second place 1959 Second place 2004 Second place 1937 Champions 1963 Third place 2007 Second place Pan American Games record 1951 – Champions 1955 – Champions 1959 – Champions 1963 – Second place 1967 – Round 1 1971 – Champions 1975 – Third place 1979 – Third place 1983 – Round 1 1987 – Third place 1991 – Did not enter 1995 – Champions 1999 – Did not enter 2003 – Champions 2007 – Round 1 Olympics record Olympics Record Year Round Position GP W D L GS GA 1896 No football tournament 1900–1920 Did Not Participate 1924 Did Not Qualify 1928 Runners-up 2 5 3 1 1 24 7 1932 No football tournament 1936–1956 Did Not Qualify 1960 Round 1 - 3 2 0 1 6 4 1964 Round 1 - 2 0 1 1 3 4 1968–1984 Did Not Qualify 1988 Quarter-finals - 4 1 1 2 4 5 1992 Did Not Qualify 1996 Runners-up 2 6 3 2 1 13 6 2000 Did Not Qualify 2004 Champions 1 6 6 0 0 17 0 2008 Champions 1 6 6 0 0 11 2 Total 7/24 2 Titles 32 21 5 6 78 28 Honours Senior team FIFA World Cup Winner (2): 1978, 1986 Copa America Winner (14): 1921, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1937, 1941, 1945, 1946 (extra edition), 1947, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1991, 1993. FIFA Confederations Cup Winner (1): 1992 Artemio Franchi Trophy Winner (1): 1993 Nations' Cup Winner (1): 1964 Panamerican Championship: Winners (1): 1960 Friendly titles Copa Kirin: Winners (1): 1992 Copa Centenario Revolución de Mayo 1910: Winners (1): 1910 Copa Roca: Winners (4): 1923, 1939, 1940, 1971 Copa Lipton: Winners (18): 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909,1913, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1928, 1937, 1942, 1945, 1957, 1962, 1968, 1976, 1992 Copa Newton: Winners (17): 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1911, 1916, 1918, 1924, 1927, 1928, 1937, 1942, 1945, 1957, 1973, 1975 Olympic team A selection with limited team selection (only 3 players over 23 years could be included in the squad), won the following honours. The matches in these tournaments are generally not included in the statistics of the national team. Gold medal (2): 2004, 2008 Silver medal (2): 1928, 1996 Uniform 1901–1910 1911–present 1958 (Away kit) 1978 1986 1996–1997 1997–1999 2000–2002 2002–2004 2004–2006 2006–2008 Managers 1. 1924–1925 Angel Vázquez 2. 1927–1928 José Lago Millán 3. 1928–1929 Francisco Olazar 4. 1929–1930 Olazar & Tramutola 5. 1934–1934 Felipe Pascucci 6. 1934–1937 Manuel Seoane 7. 1937–1939 Ángel Fernández Roca 8. 1939–1960 Guillermo Stábile 9. 1960–1961 Victorio Spinetto 10. 1961–1961 José D'Amico 11. 1962–1963 Juan Carlos Lorenzo 12. 1963–1963 Alejandro Galán 13. 1963–1964 Horacio Amable Torres 14. 1964–1968 José María Minella 15. 1968–1968 Renato Cesarini 16. 1968–1969 Humberto Dionisio Maschio 17. 1969–1969 Adolfo Pedernera 18. 1969–1972 Juan José Pizzuti 19. 1972–1974 Enrique Omar Sívori 20. 1974–1974 Vladislao Cap & José Varacka 21. 1974–1983 César Luis Menotti 22. 1983–1990 Carlos Bilardo 23. 1990–1994 Alfio Basile 24. 1994–1998 Daniel Passarella 25. 1998–2004 Marcelo Bielsa 26. 2004–2006 José Pekerman 27. 2006–2008 Alfio Basile 28. 2008–0000 Diego Maradona Results and Fixtures Argentina participated in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification Standings Team v • d • e Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts  Brazil 18 9 7 2 33 11 +22 34  Chile 18 10 3 5 32 22 +10 33  Paraguay 18 10 3 5 24 16 +8 33  Argentina 18 8 4 6 23 20 +3 28  Uruguay 18 6 6 6 28 20 +8 24  Ecuador 18 6 5 7 22 26 −4 23  Colombia 18 6 5 7 14 18 −4 23  Venezuela 18 6 4 8 23 29 −6 22  Bolivia 18 4 3 11 22 36 −14 15  Peru 18 3 4 11 11 34 −23 13   Argentina  – 3–0 1–3 2–0 1–0 1–1 1–1 2–1 2–1 4–0 Bolivia  6–1 – 2–1 0–2 0–0 1–3 4–2 3–0 2–2 0–1 Brazil  0–0 0–0 – 4–2 0–0 5–0 2–1 3–0 2–1 0–0 Chile  1–0 4–0 0–3 – 4–0 1–0 0–3 2–0 0–0 2–2 Colombia  2–1 2–0 0–0 2–4 – 2–0 0–1 1–0 0–1 1–0 Ecuador  2–0 3–1 1–1 1–0 0–0 – 1–1 5–1 1–2 0–1 Paraguay  1–0 1–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 5–1 – 1–0 1–0 2–0 Peru  1–1 1–0 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–2 0–0 – 1–0 1–0 Uruguay  0–1 5–0 0–4 2–2 3–1 0–0 2–0 6–0 – 1–1 Venezuela  0–2 5–3 0–4 2–3 2–0 3–1 1–2 3–1 2–2 – 2010 FIFA World Cup Group B Main article: 2010 FIFA World Cup Group B Team v • d • e Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts  Argentina 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  Nigeria 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  Korea Republic 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  Greece 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Recent games Last game:  Argentina 5 – 0  Canada – Buenos Aires, Argentina – May 24, 2010 – Friendly match. Next game:  Argentina vs  Nigeria – Johannesburg, South Africa – June 12, 2010 – 2010 FIFA World Cup. see also: Argentina national team 2008–09 results. see also: Argentina national team 2009–10 results. Head to head Players Current squad The following 23 players were named to the squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Caps and goals as of May 24, 2010, subsequent to the official Friendly match against Canada. No. Pos. Player DoB (Age) Caps Goals Club 1 GK Diego Pozo February 16, 1978 (1978-02-16) (age 32) 3 0 Colón 21 GK Mariano Andújar July 30, 1983 (1983-07-30) (age 26) 4 0 Catania 22 GK Sergio Romero February 22, 1987 (1987-02-22) (age 23) 6 0 AZ 2 DF Martín Demichelis December 20, 1980 (1980-12-20) (age 29) 25 1 Bayern Munich 3 DF Clemente Rodríguez July 31, 1981 (1981-07-31) (age 28) 12 1 Estudiantes 4 DF Nicolás Burdisso April 12, 1981 (1981-04-12) (age 29) 29 2 Roma 6 DF Gabriel Heinze April 19, 1978 (1978-04-19) (age 32) 64 2 Marseille 12 DF Ariel Garcé July 14, 1979 (1979-07-14) (age 30) 4 0 Colón 13 DF Walter Samuel March 23, 1978 (1978-03-23) (age 32) 54 5 Internazionale 15 DF Nicolás Otamendi February 12, 1988 (1988-02-12) (age 22) 7 0 Vélez Sársfield 5 MF Mario Bolatti February 17, 1985 (1985-02-17) (age 25) 5 1 Fiorentina 7 MF Ángel Di María February 14, 1988 (1988-02-14) (age 22) 8 1 Benfica 8 MF Juan Sebastián Verón March 9, 1975 (1975-03-09) (age 35) 70 9 Estudiantes 14 MF Javier Mascherano June 8, 1984 (1984-06-08) (age 25) 57 2 Liverpool 17 MF Jonás Gutiérrez July 5, 1983 (1983-07-05) (age 26) 16 1 Newcastle United 20 MF Maxi Rodríguez January 2, 1981 (1981-01-02) (age 29) 36 12 Liverpool 23 MF Javier Pastore June 20, 1989 (1989-06-20) (age 20) 1 0 Palermo 9 FW Gonzalo Higuaín December 10, 1987 (1987-12-10) (age 22) 5 2 Real Madrid 10 FW Lionel Messi June 24, 1987 (1987-06-24) (age 22) 44 13 Barcelona 11 FW Carlos Tévez February 5, 1984 (1984-02-05) (age 26) 52 9 Manchester City 16 FW Sergio Agüero June 2, 1988 (1988-06-02) (age 22) 21 8 Atlético Madrid 18 FW Martín Palermo November 7, 1973 (1973-11-07) (age 36) 14 8 Boca Juniors 19 FW Diego Milito June 12, 1979 (1979-06-12) (age 30) 20 4 Internazionale These are the numbers worn during the match against Canada on May 24th, 2010 updated because of the changes made on May 28th. Recent call ups The following players have been called up for the team in the last 12 months. Pos. Player DoB (Age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up GK Adrián Gabbarini October 10, 1985 (1985-10-10) (age 24) 1 0 Independiente vs  Haiti, May 5, 2010 (Friendly) GK Cristian Campestrini June 16, 1980 (1980-06-16) (age 29) 2 0 Arsenal Sarandí vs  Jamaica, February 10, 2010 (Friendly) GK Nelson Ibáñez January 13, 1981 (1981-01-13) (age 29) 1 0 Godoy Cruz vs  Jamaica, February 10, 2010 (Friendly) GK Juan Pablo Carrizo May 6, 1984 (1984-05-06) (age 26) 10 0 Real Zaragoza vs  Paraguay, September 9, 2009 (WCQ) GK Federico Vilar May 30, 1977 (1977-05-30) (age 33) 0 0 Morelia vs  Ecuador, June 10, 2009 (WCQ) DF Fabricio Coloccini January 22, 1982 (1982-01-22) (age 28) 33 1 Newcastle United 2010 World Cup preliminary squad, May 11, 2010 DF Juan Insaurralde October 3, 1984 (1984-10-03) (age 25) 2 0 Newell's Old Boys 2010 World Cup preliminary squad, May 11, 2010 DF Matías Caruzzo August 15, 1984 (1984-08-15) (age 25) 5 0 Argentinos Juniors vs  Haiti, May 5, 2010 (Friendly) DF Paolo Goltz May 12, 1985 (1985-05-12) (age 25) 1 0 Huracán vs  Haiti, May 5, 2010 (Friendly) DF Cristian Villagra December 27, 1985 (1985-12-27) (age 24) 2 0 River Plate vs  Haiti, May 5, 2010 (Friendly) DF Ignacio Canuto February 20, 1986 (1986-02-20) (age 24) 3 1 Argentinos Juniors vs  Jamaica, February 10, 2010 (Friendly) DF Mariano Echevarría May 27, 1981 (1981-05-27) (age 29) 1 0 Chacarita Juniors vs  Jamaica, February 10, 2010 (Friendly) DF Leonel Galeano August 2, 1991 (1991-08-02) (age 18) 1 0 Independiente vs  Jamaica, February 10, 2010 (Friendly) DF Gabriel Mercado March 18, 1987 (1987-03-18) (age 23) 1 0 Racing vs  Jamaica, February 10, 2010 (Friendly) DF Fabián Monzón April 13, 1987 (1987-04-13) (age 23) 4 0 Boca Juniors vs  Jamaica, February 10, 2010 (Friendly) DF Guillermo Burdisso April 24, 1988 (1988-04-24) (age 22) 1 1 Rosario Central vs  Costa Rica, January 26, 2010 (Friendly) DF Gastón Díaz March 13, 1988 (1988-03-13) (age 22) 0 0 Vélez Sársfield vs  Costa Rica, January 26, 2010 (Friendly) DF Carlos Matheu May 13, 1985 (1985-05-13) (age 25) 1 0 Independiente vs  Costa Rica, January 26, 2010 (Friendly) DF Cristian Álvarez January 9, 1978 (1978-01-09) (age 32) 0 0 Arsenal Sarandí vs  Catalonia, December 22, 2009 (Unofficial Friendly) DF Emiliano Papa April 19, 1982 (1982-04-19) (age 28) 6 0 Vélez Sársfield vs  Catalonia, December 22, 2009 (Unofficial Friendly) DF Nicolas Pareja January 19, 1984 (1984-01-19) (age 26) 0 0 Espanyol vs  Catalonia, December 22, 2009 (Unofficial Friendly) DF Cristian Ansaldi September 20, 1986 (1986-09-20) (age 23) 1 0 Rubin Kazan vs  Spain, November 14, 2009 (Friendly) DF Emiliano Insúa January 7, 1989 (1989-01-07) (age 21) 1 0 Liverpool vs  Uruguay, October 14, 2009 (WCQ) DF Rolando Schiavi January 18, 1973 (1973-01-18) (age 37) 4 0 Newell's Old Boys vs  Uruguay, October 14, 2009 (WCQ) DF Sebastián Domínguez July 29, 1980 (1980-07-29) (age 29) 2 0 Vélez Sársfield vs  Paraguay, September 9, 2009 (WCQ) DF Javier Zanetti August 10, 1973 (1973-08-10) (age 36) 136 5 Internazionale vs  Paraguay, September 9, 2009 (WCQ) DF Daniel Díaz June 13, 1979 (1979-06-13) (age 30) 12 1 Getafe vs  Russia, August 12, 2009 (Friendly) DF Juan Forlín October 1, 1988 (1988-10-01) (age 21) 0 0 Espanyol vs  Ecuador, June 10, 2009 (WCQ) MF Sebastián Blanco March 15, 1988 (1988-03-15) (age 22) 2 1 Lanús 2010 World Cup preliminary squad, May 11, 2010 MF Jesús Dátolo May 19, 1984 (1984-05-19) (age 26) 3 2 Olympiacos 2010 World Cup preliminary squad, May 11, 2010 MF Juan Mercier February 2, 1980 (1980-02-02) (age 30) 3 0 Argentinos Juniors 2010 World Cup preliminary squad, May 11, 2010 MF José Ernesto Sosa June 19, 1985 (1985-06-19) (age 24) 6 1 Estudiantes 2010 World Cup preliminary squad, May 11, 2010 MF Facundo Bertoglio June 30, 1990 (1990-06-30) (age 19) 1 2 Dynamo Kyiv vs  Haiti, May 5, 2010 (Friendly) MF José Luis Fernández October 26, 1987 (1987-10-26) (age 22) 1 0 Racing vs  Haiti, May 5, 2010 (Friendly) MF Nicolás Olmedo March 10, 1983 (1983-03-10) (age 27) 1 0 Godoy Cruz vs  Haiti, May 5, 2010 (Friendly) MF Patricio Toranzo March 19, 1982 (1982-03-19) (age 28) 2 0 Huracán vs  Haiti, May 5, 2010 (Friendly) MF Walter Acevedo February 16, 1986 (1986-02-16) (age 24) 1 0 Independiente vs  Jamaica, February 10, 2010 (Friendly) MF Nicolás Gaitán February 23, 1988 (1988-02-23) (age 22) 3 0 Boca Juniors vs  Jamaica, February 10, 2010 (Friendly) MF Federico Insúa January 3, 1980 (1980-01-03) (age 30) 14 0 Boca Juniors vs  Jamaica, February 10, 2010 (Friendly) MF Jesús Méndez August 1, 1984 (1984-08-01) (age 25) 2 0 Boca Juniors vs  Jamaica, February 10, 2010 (Friendly) MF Walter Erviti June 12, 1980 (1980-06-12) (age 29) 1 0 Banfield vs  Costa Rica, January 26, 2010 (Friendly) MF Enzo Pérez February 22, 1986 (1986-02-22) (age 24) 3 0 Estudiantes vs  Costa Rica, January 26, 2010 (Friendly) MF Franco Razzotti February 6, 1985 (1985-02-06) (age 25) 1 0 Vélez Sársfield vs  Costa Rica, January 26, 2010 (Friendly) MF Pablo Aimar November 3, 1979 (1979-11-03) (age 30) 52 8 Benfica vs  Catalonia, December 22, 2009 (Unofficial Friendly) MF Éver Banega June 29, 1988 (1988-06-29) (age 21) 2 0 Valencia vs  Catalonia, December 22, 2009 (Unofficial Friendly) MF Fernando Gago April 10, 1986 (1986-04-10) (age 24) 27 0 Real Madrid vs  Catalonia, December 22, 2009 (Unofficial Friendly) MF Esteban Cambiasso August 18, 1980 (1980-08-18) (age 29) 46 4 Internazionale vs  Spain, November 14, 2009 (Friendly) MF Diego Perotti July 26, 1988 (1988-07-26) (age 21) 1 0 Sevilla vs  Spain, November 14, 2009 (Friendly) MF Rodrigo Braña March 7, 1979 (1979-03-07) (age 31) 1 0 Estudiantes vs  Uruguay, October 14, 2009 (WCQ) MF Lucho González January 19, 1981 (1981-01-19) (age 29) 43 6 Marseille vs  Uruguay, October 14, 2009 (WCQ) MF Leonel Vangioni May 5, 1987 (1987-05-05) (age 23) 1 0 Newell's Old Boys vs  Ghana, September 30, 2009 (Friendly) MF Sebastián Battaglia November 8, 1980 (1980-11-08) (age 29) 10 0 Boca Juniors vs  Paraguay, September 9, 2009 (WCQ) MF Christian Giménez February 1, 1981 (1981-02-01) (age 29) 0 0 Cruz Azul vs  Ecuador, June 10, 2009 (WCQ) MF Daniel Montenegro May 27, 1979 (1979-05-27) (age 31) 3 0 América vs  Ecuador, June 10, 2009 (WCQ) FW Ezequiel Lavezzi May 3, 1985 (1985-05-03) (age 25) 6 0 Napoli 2010 World Cup preliminary squad, May 11, 2010 FW Franco Jara July 15, 1988 (1988-07-15) (age 21) 3 1 Arsenal Sarandí vs  Haiti, May 5, 2010 (Friendly) FW Ariel Ortega March 4, 1974 (1974-03-04) (age 36) 87 17 River Plate vs  Haiti, May 5, 2010 (Friendly) FW Juan Pablo Pereyra May 30, 1984 (1984-05-30) (age 26) 1 0 Atlético Tucumán vs  Haiti, May 5, 2010 (Friendly) FW Gabriel Hauche November 27, 1986 (1986-11-27) (age 23) 3 0 Racing vs  Jamaica, February 10, 2010 (Friendly) FW Mauro Boselli May 22, 1985 (1985-05-22) (age 25) 2 0 Estudiantes vs  Costa Rica, January 26, 2010 (Friendly) FW Jonathan Cristaldo May 3, 1989 (1989-05-03) (age 21) 0 0 Vélez Sársfield vs  Costa Rica, January 26, 2010 (Friendly) FW Eduardo Salvio May 13, 1990 (1990-05-13) (age 20) 1 0 Atletico Madrid vs  Catalonia, December 22, 2009 (Unofficial Friendly) FW Luis Rodríguez January 1, 1985 (1985-01-01) (age 25) 1 0 Atlético Tucumán vs  Ghana, September 30, 2009 (Friendly) FW Lisandro López March 2, 1983 (1983-03-02) (age 27) 7 1 Lyon vs  Paraguay, September 9, 2009 (WCQ) FW Gonzalo Bergessio July 20, 1984 (1984-07-20) (age 25) 3 2 Saint-Etienne vs  Ecuador, June 10, 2009 (WCQ) Previous squads 2007 Copa América – Argentina 2006 FIFA World Cup squads – Argentina 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup squads – Argentina 2002 FIFA World Cup squads – Argentina 1998 FIFA World Cup squads – Argentina 1994 FIFA World Cup squads – Argentina 1990 FIFA World Cup squads – Argentina 1986 FIFA World Cup squads – Argentina 1982 FIFA World Cup squads – Argentina 1978 FIFA World Cup squads – Argentina 1974 FIFA World Cup squads – Argentina 1966 FIFA World Cup squads – Argentina 1962 FIFA World Cup squads – Argentina 1958 FIFA World Cup squads – Argentina 1934 FIFA World Cup squads – Argentina 1930 FIFA World Cup squads – Argentina Most capped players As of October 10, 2009, the ten players with the most caps for Argentina are: # Name Career Caps Goals 1. Javier Zanetti 1994 – present 136 5 2. Roberto Ayala 1994–2007 115 7 3. Diego Simeone 1988–2002 106 11 4. Oscar Ruggeri 1983–1994 97 7 5. Diego Maradona 1977–1994 91 34 6. Ariel Ortega 1993 – present 87 17 7. Gabriel Batistuta 1991–2002 78 56 8. Juan Pablo Sorín 1995–2006 76 12 9. Américo Gallego 1975–1982 73 3 10. Daniel Passarella 1976–1986 70 22 Top goalscorers As of September 16, 2009, the ten players with the most goals for Argentina are: # Name Career Goals Caps 1. Gabriel Batistuta 1991–2002 56 78 2. Hernán Crespo 1995–2007 36 64 3. Diego Maradona 1977–1994 34 91 4. Luis Artime 1961–1967 24 25 5. Leopoldo Luque 1975–1981 22 45 5. Daniel Passarella 1976–1986 22 70 6. José Sanfilippo 1956–1962 21 29 6. Herminio Masantonio 1935–1942 21 19 7. Mario Kempes 1973–1982 20 43 8. Norberto Méndez 1945–1956 19 31 8. José Manuel Moreno 1936–1950 19 34 10. René Pontoni 1942–1947 19 19 Notable players To appear in this section, players should have played 50 games or scored at least 10 goals for Argentina, or been part of a World Cup or Copa América winning team. Pablo Aimar (1997–2009) Antonio Angelillo (also played for Italy) (1957) Osvaldo Ardiles (1974–1982) Roberto Ayala (1995–2007) Abel Balbo (1988–1998) Gabriel Batistuta (1991–2003) Claudio Borghi (1983–1986) Miguel Ángel Brindisi (1969–1974) José Luis Brown (1983–1990) Jorge Burruchaga (1983–1990) Pedro Calomino (1917–1921) Claudio Caniggia (1988–2002) Roberto Cherro (1926–1937) Omar Oreste Corbatta (1956–1962) Hernán Crespo (1995–2007) Alfredo Di Stéfano (also played for Colombia and Spain) (1947) Ramón Díaz (1979–1982) Rogelio Domínguez (1951–1963) Ubaldo Fillol (1972–1985) Rodolfo Fischer (1967–1972) Marcelo Gallardo (1995–2002) Américo Gallego (1975–1982) Ricardo Giusti (1983–1990) Kily González (1995–2005) Sergio Goycochea (1989–1995) Gabriel Heinze (2003– ) Mario Kempes (1974–1982) Ángel Labruna (1942–1958) Claudio López (1995–2004) Félix Loustau (1945–1952) Leopoldo Luque (1975–1981) Javier Mascherano (2003– ) Diego Armando Maradona (1977–1994) Rinaldo Martino (1942–1948) Herminio Masantonio (1935–1942) José Manuel Moreno (1940–1947) Lionel Messi (2005– ) Luis Monti (also played for Italy) (1924–1931) Julio Olarticoechea (1982–1990) Jorge Olguín (1976–1982) Ermindo Onega (1960–1967) Ariel Ortega (1993–2010) Daniel Passarella (1974–1986) Adolfo Pedernera (1940–1946) Carlos Peucelle (1928–1940) Nery Pumpido (1983–1990) Antonio Rattín (1959–1966) Fernando Redondo (1991–1996) Juan Román Riquelme (1997–2008) Oscar Ruggeri (1982–1994) Walter Samuel (1999– ) José Sanfilippo (1957–1962) Javier Saviola (2003–2006) Roberto Néstor Sensini (1987–2003) Diego Simeone (1991–2003) Omar Sivori (also played for Italy) (1956–1957) Juan Pablo Sorín (1995–2006) Guillermo Stábile (1924–1934) Domingo Tarasconi (1922–1929) Carlos Tévez (2004– ) Marcelo Trobbiani (1974–1986) Jorge Valdano (1980–1990) Juan Sebastián Verón (1995– ) Ricardo Villa (1974–1982) Javier Zanetti (1994–2009) Source : wikipedia

Read the full story