The Argentine Squad That Could Destroy Brazil

I have been an Argentina fan my whole life.

Yet, I have never before been so disappointed and disillusioned with the Albicelestes (or, to be more precise, Diego Maradona) than these past few months. So disappointed, in fact, that I am even beginning to take seriously the embarrassing reality of Argentina not qualifying for next summer's World Cup.

Now, this being said, I can find absolutely no reason in my mind why this dark possibility should even be facing la Seleccion. Argentina, undeniably, has one of the largest and most talented player pools of any country in the world, save Brazil. They have won Gold in the past two Olympic tournaments and been crowned champions for four of the past five U-20 World Cups.

In spite of this, however, the negative effects of the past three Argentine senior coaches, beginning with Jose Pekerman in 2006, have managed to perpetually destroy the national selection; one that could literally be hitting its prime at this very moment. And now, we are left with the harsh prospect of elimination and exclusion from the greatest sporting event in the world.

So, on the eve of what could potentially be the most important match of the CONMEBOL qualifiers for South Africa, I have, for my own pleasure and that of all footballing fans, decided to name the Argentine squad which I know could defeat Brazil tomorrow and compete for first place in next year's World Cup:

The formation would be 3-4-3.

Goalkeeper:

Mariano Andujar
Argentina has not had a decent goalkeeper since Sergio Goycochea in the early '90s. The former Estudiante's custodian will do for now. In any case, anyone is better than twice-coward Abbondanzieri.

Defense:

Pablo Zabaleta
He is arguably one of the most versatile and skillful young players in the world. Like his Brazilian counterparts at left and right back, he can easily fly up down the sideline in a matter of seconds, and is both an attacking threat and a defensive nightmare for opposing sides. He already has won two championships with Argentina, the 2005 U-20 World Cup and 2008 Olympics, and is currently plying his trade with Manchester City in England's top flight league.

Walter Samuel
Despite being old and injury prone, Samuel has been one of the most fearsome center-backs in the world for years. Evidence enough of his ability is his unmovable place in the Internationale starting eleven, which he returned to last year immediately after coming back from a devastating knee injury just a season prior.

Javier Zanetti
I don't even need to explain why Zanetti deserves an eternal starting place in the Argentine squad. He is about 100 years old and can still outrun a racehorse. Regardless of what Maradona says, Zanetti still is and deservedly should be the Albiceleste captain.

Midfield:

Angel Di Maria
The former Rosario Central starlet scored the game-winning golazo in last summer's Olympic triumph against Nigeria. He is skillful, fast, fiery, and the natural born winger Argentina needs to be successful. Maradona and ex-coach Basile's idiotic "play down the middle" strategy is unsuccessful and stupid, and Di Maria could breathe life into a currently unexciting midfield.

Esteban Cambiasso
Cambiasso should be as constant a presence on the national team as Javier Zanetti. He and Mascherano in the middle prevent any opposing side from holding the ball in midfield for too long, and creating the type of brilliant passing play Argentina showed against Serbia in the 2006 World Cup. The man was even recently voted the second best midfielder in all of Serie A. Maradona is more than a fool for overlooking this brilliant, balding superstar.

Javier Mascherano
He and Cambiasso belong together. It worked for years until Maradona decided he didn't like it. And what did he get for replacing Camby with Gago? Oh yeah, a 6-1 thrashing in Bolivia.

Ezequiel Lavezzi
Lavezzi, like Di Maria, is a purely attack-minded player. That works when you have the rock solid wall of Masch and Camby in the center, and Zanetti and Zabaleta behind you. The Napoli youngster is usually played out of position, but if given free space along the sideline, can destroy a team in the same way Messi does with Barcelona.

Forwards:

Lionel Messi
Although now utilized mostly as winger or center-forward, Messidona's natural position is as a number 10. Playing just behind the two forwards, with wingers like Di Maria and Lavezzi, Messi has ample room to pass, dribble, and punish defenses with his articulate style of play. And, side-note: He absolutely craps on C. Ron.

Lisandro Lopez
The guy has been one of the best forwards in Europe for three years. He scored 24 goals two seasons ago with Porto and is showing evidence of being better for Lyon than even Benzema was. He is the striker's version of Milan's Gatusso. Lisandro is powerful, agile, and a threat in the air despite his small stature.

Carlitos Tevez
I know, I know. Tevez has been in dreadful form for Argentina. But he is still one of the best players in the world. He single-handedly led Argentina to gold in the 2004 Olympics, and has had good performances with whatever club he has played with, including Corinthians in Brazil. Tevez would be able to rediscover himself if he had players like Lavezzi, Lisandro, and Cambiasso alongside him. Nobody can deny that he is a fun guy to watch with his ugly face and "balls to the wall" style.

Substitutes:
Ezequiel Garay (Real Madrid), Nicolas Pareja (Espanyol), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille), Maxi Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid), Ever Banega (Valencia), Cesar Delgago (Lyon), Mario Bolatti (Huracan), Mauro Zarate (Lazio), Diego Milito (Inter), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar).

As you can obviously tell, my side would be far different than that of Maradona. What do you think? Which side would you choose to take down the mighty Brazil and compete in South Africa 2010?