2010 FIFA World Cup - Argentina
2010 FIFA World Cup - Argentina National Team
2010 FIFA World Cup Argentina National Team:
Goalkeepers:
1 Diego POZO, 21 Mariano ANDUJAR and 22 Sergio ROMERO
Defenders:
2 Martin DEMICHELIS, 3 Clemente RODRIGUEZ, 4 Nicolas BURDISSO, 6 Gabriel HEINZE,
12 Ariel GARCE, 13 Walter SAMUEL and 15 Nicolas OTAMENDI
Midfielders:
5 Mario BOLATTI, 7 Angel DI MARIA, 8 Juan VERON, 14 Javier MASCHERANO, 17 Jonas GUTIERREZ,
20 Maxi RODRIGUEZ and 23 Javier PASTORE
Forwards:
9 Gonzalo HIGUAIN,
10 Lionel MESSI, 11 Carlos TEVEZ, 16 Sergio AGUERO, 18 Martin PALERMO and
19 Diego MILITO
Coach:
Diego MARADONA
Top Players Lionel Messi (ARG), Diego Milito (ARG), Javier Mascherano (ARG), Carlos Tevez (ARG) and Juan Veron (ARG).
2010 FIFA World Cup Schedule & Scores
Argentina Soccer League
The star players
Most of Argentina's hopes are invested in Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the best footballer in the world. Having
earned that reputation thanks to his consistently brilliant performances for Barcelona, La Pulga (The Flea) has yet to
fire on a regular basis in the famous blue and white striped shirt, something he will be hoping to make amends for in
South Africa.
Providing the midfield ballast for the darting Messi will be their captain and driving force Javier Mascherano and the
hugely experienced Juan Sebastian Veron, who will be out to prove a point or two after coming in for criticism during
Argentina's fateful display at Korea/Japan 2002.
The coach
Considered by many to be the finest footballer ever to walk the Earth, Diego Maradona now has the opportunity to
repeat as a coach his finest achievement as a player. Straight-talking, impulsive and a born competitor, Maradona
retains the aura that made him such a revered figure during his playing days and will be hoping to impart his experience
and know-how to a group of players who figure among his most ardent admirers.
Prior to taking on the national job, the legendary former No10 enjoyed brief spells in the hotseat at lesser lights
Mandiyu in 1994 and Racing Club a year later, before making a return to the playing fields with his beloved Boca Juniors.
A nine-year sabbatical from the game ended with his appointment as Basile's successor, and having steered his side into
the finals he now faces a challenge he has already risen to once in his career.
Previous FIFA World Cups
Argentina have reached four FIFA World Cup Finals in all. They beat Netherlands in 1978 and Germany in 1986 but lost to Uruguay in 1930 and to the Germans in 1990. La Albiceleste will be appearing in the FIFA World Cup for the 20th time at South Africa 2010, their tenth consecutive appearance. Set to make his first appearance as a coach, Diego Maradona played in four successive finals competitions between 1982 and 1994.
Records
1978 FIFA World Cup CHAMPIONS
1986 FIFA World Cup CHAMPIONS
Argentina - 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 - Argentina
The Favorites Argentina: Despite their inconsistent showing in South American qualifying, the potential of
Diego Maradona's squad remains vast given the plethora of world-class talents at his disposal. The greatest challenge
for this relatively inexperienced coach will be knitting these proven individuals into a cohesive and reliable unit,
something he has been unable to do thus far. That said, La Albiceleste's big names and status as former winners make
them favourites to top the section.