Why Juventus' Carlos Tevez Must Start for Argentina at Copa America

When discussing the best footballing nations on the planet, Argentina are almost always part of the conversation. With Diego Maradona inspiring generations of players to take up the game, the South American nation can arguably claim to possess the most talent-laden squad at this year’s edition of the Copa America.

Yet despite their lofty reputation and amazing collection of talent, it is incredible to consider that the Albiceleste have failed to win an international tournament since 1993. Changing that dismal record this summer could hinge on one man’s impact, with Carlos Tevez perhaps central to their hopes and dreams.

Indeed, the Juventus striker could prove to be more important to Argentina than even Lionel Messi, which is not to criticise the Barcelona star, merely to look beyond sheer ability and recognise the wider issues affecting the team.

In qualifying for the tournament, Gerard Martino often opted to flank Messi with some combination of Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Javier Pastore, with Tevez not earning a recall until October last year.

That ended a three-year absence for the former Manchester City captain, who has not scored a competitive goal for Argentina since the 2010 World Cup. Forced to look on as his country finished as runners-up to Germany last summer, where in the end even their star man’s brilliance was not enough.

EMILIO MORENATTI - BY LUCA BRUNO/Associated Press

“We know we have the world's best player in our squad,” Zenit Saint Petersburg's Ezequiel Garay told Goal.com recently. “We have to help him out and then we might become champions.” As heavy favourites to lift the trophy this time around, Tevez is arguably the key figure in them taking that final step.

It was a widely held belief that he and Messi did not get along and could not play well together, but as both players have evolved, so too has their ability to thrive as team-mates. One need only look at how Luis Suarez and Neymar are thriving at Barcelona to see those changes in Messi’s play, and the attributes Tevez brings to a team could prove to be the difference in Chile.

There is little doubt that Argentina are blessed with an incredible array of attacking weapons, and calling for the Juve man to replace one of them is not to doubt their ability. Instead, it is recognition that Tevez brings something in addition to skill, which he too possesses beyond all doubt.

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With 28 goals and eight assists in 46 appearances for the Italian champions, he has proved to be a match for the likes of Aguero and Higuain, while still playing with the same intensity and passion that makes him a fan-favourite in Turin and Buenos Aires alike.

The Argentinian public relates to a man who left a poor neighbourhood of Fuerte Apache but never forgot his roots, his work ethic and drive often separating him from his team-mates. As discussed here, Tevez was clearly Juve’s most influential player this season, and he can bring that experience to bear for his national team.

The way he chases defenders is infectious, with the likes of Paul Pogba and Alvaro Morata following his example. If he can ignite the same effort from Argentina, it will be invaluable in protecting a defence that lacks the depth and quality of the attack.

Different characters from different backgrounds, Tevez is quick to downplay talk of a rift with Barcelona’s iconic star. “In Argentina they speak a lot of Messi or Tevez, one or the other,” he told El Pais recently (h/t ESPN). “But we have always gotten along, on and off the pitch.”

They will need to again, but the ability of Tevez to lift this group to glory means he must start for the Albiceleste when the Copa America gets underway.