(Photo by Photogamma/Getty Images)
Earlier this evening, Maradona announced the long-awaited list of players for Argentina's upcoming WCQ games against Peru and Uruguay.
Among the players who were left out of the squad, perhaps the most notable is Albiceleste legend and former captain Javier Zanetti. Other players who have lost their positions due to both unconvincing performances and "poor" attitudes are Maxi Rodriguez, Fernando Gago, Nicolas Burdisso, Lisandro Lopez, and Juan Pablo Carrizo.
One player making his return is Pablo Aimar, seemingly chosen to fill the still massive gap left by Riquelme, considering his attacking prowess and classic "10" status. Benfica teammate Angel Di Maria, Lucho Gonzalez, and Jonas Gutierrez are also back in the squad after short absences in recent qualifiers.
Many will be glad to notice the welcomed inclusions of young stars like Emiliano Insua and Olympic gold medal-winners Nicolas Pareja, Sergio Romero—who has apparently earned "number 1" status for la Seleccion—and the multi-faceted Pablo Zabaleta, as well.
Perhaps the most shocking and excitable of all, however, is the call-up of Real Madrid wonderboy Gonzalo Higuain. Evidently, Maradona has run out of excuses to leave the hitman out of the squad.
El Diez is still awaiting the result of the upcoming friendly against Ghana on Sept. 30 to decide who among the local crop of players will join the team in the coming week. Of those, aging veterans Martin Palermo and Rolando Schiavi seem to have definite positions awaiting them in the 23-man squad. Also, center-back Nicolas Otamendi and midfielder Mario Bolatti should make the cut, considering the lack of depth in their positions so far.
Despite the fact that Maradona is finally making some highly demanded call-ups, European stars like Mauro Zarate, Esteban Cambiasso, Ezequiel Garay, and Martin Demichelis have not been included.
Goalkeepers:
Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar)
Mariano Andújar (Catania)
Defenders:
Emiliano Insúa (Liverpool)
Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle)
Gabriel Heinze (Olympique de Marsella)
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
Nicolás Pareja (Español)
Midfielders:
Javier Mascherano (Liverpool)
Luis González (Olympique de Marsella)
Jonás Gutiérrez (Newcastle)
Angel Di María (Benfica)
Pablo Aimar (Benfica)
Forwards:
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Sergio Agüero (Atlético Madrid)
Carlos Tevez (Manchester City)
Gonzalo Higuaín (Real Madrid)
Diego Milito (Inter)
Ezequiel Lavezzi (Nápoli)
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