Former Captain Javier Zanetti Set for Argentina Recall

Javier Zanetti, former Argentina captain and all-time record caps leader with 136 appearances, looks set to make a comeback to the Albiceleste setup when the South Americans take on world champions Spain at River Plate's stadium next month. 

Despite featuring regularly under former manager Diego Maradona and playing in more World Cup Qualifying matches than any player other than Lionel Messi, Zanetti was one of the many high-profile casualties of El Diego's unorthodox selection policy, which also saw Fernando Gago, Esteban Cambiasso, Ever Banega, Pablo Zabaleta, and Lisandro Lopez fail to make the cut for South Africa 2010. 

Instead of taking the legendary Zanetti to the World Cup, Maradona took journeyman defender Ariel "El Chino" Garce, who did not feature a single second of any match in South Africa. 

At right back, Maradona tried a number of options, including left-winger Jonas Gutierrez and center backs Nicolas Burdisso and Nicolas Otamendi, none of whom impressed. Otamendi was arguably Argentina's worst player during the 4-0 quarterfinal loss to Germany. 

Now, at 37, Zanetti looks for one last go-round with Argentina under new coach Sergio "El Checho" Batista. 

Batista has thrown out Maradona's game plan of playing without full backs and will include the best players available at left and right back, regardless of age. 

Zanetti recently signed a contract extension with Inter Milan through 2013, but who knows—should he continue to lift trophies in Italy and receive call-ups from the National Team, it is not too far-fetched that the incredibly fit El Pupi could be present at Brazil 2014.

Although Brazil is certainly the ultimate goal, Argentina will first look to win the Copa America on home soil next July, meaning the best players will be taken, even if they are unlikely to play a part at the World Cup.

Zanetti will look at the Copa America at his final chance of glory with La Seleccion, but could it be that he continues beyond that? 

In addition to Zanetti, Barcelona defender Gabriel Milito and Inter Milan midfielder Esteban Cambiasso are expected to receive call-ups for the match against Spain. 

Batista may be ushering in a new era, but before throwing the youngsters to the wolves, Batista is revolutionizing the Argentina setup by actually calling up the best players. 

With that novel philosophy, Argentina likely would have returned home from South Africa with the Cup.