Appearances: 14 (Champions in 1978 and '86. Last appearance in 2006)
Current FIFA Ranking (As of March 3): 9
Captain: Javier Mascherano (Defensive Midfielder)
Leading Scorer in Qualifying: 3 players tied with 4 goals: Lionel Messi (Striker), Sergio Aguero (Striker), Juan Riquelme (Midfielder)
Key Injuries: No significant injuries.
Key retirements since 2006: Riquelme (Retired in 2008), Roberto Ayala (Center back), Juan Pablo Sorin (Left back), Hernan Crespo (Striker)
Team Overview: Argentina did not have a fun time during World Cup Qualifying. They struggled through most of their games and did not secure their spot until the second-to-last game. Coach Diego Maradona has struggled to find a starting squad that works to his liking and he has tried to make it work while enduring calls for him to resign. The mercurial coach will have to find his magic quickly because Argentina holds high hopes for their soccer team. He does, however, have an extreme wealth of talent across the board and no team looks forward to playing them. One glimmer of hope for the Argentinians is that the last time they struggled this much was during qualifying for the '86 World Cup, which they ended up winning.
Sergio Romeo has taken over the reigns as starting goalkeeper under Maradona. The 23-year-old has made only four appearances with the team so there will be an unaccustomed pressure on his shoulders.
Romero will be counting on the likes of Nicolas Burdisso, Martin Demichelis and Gabriel Heinze, all seasoned veterans, to keep the opponent away from his net and out of trouble. The three veterans will be joined by talented youngster Nicolas Otamendi to try and stifle opposing attacks. The group struggled at times during qualifying stages, and at one game allowed six goals to Bolivia. They will have to play much better to stand a chance against the top teams in the world.
The midfield will be led by captain Javier Mascherano, who is thought by some former Argentinian players to be the best defensive midfielder they have ever had. Joining him will be the veteran of the team Juan Sebastian Veron and two youngsters, Angel Di Maria and Jonas Gutierrez. The group is talented but does not possess the world class passer that is necessary to get the ball to their talented strikers. This has led to many struggles in scoring goals.
The group of forwards that Argentina has is arguably the best and deepest in the world. They have five players playing at some of the best club teams in the world and they would all be strong candidates to start for other top national teams. The group is led by Lionel Messi, regarded by countless experts as the world's best current player. The 22-year-old has been incredible for his club team, Barcelona, but has struggled mightily to find the same form with his national team. Much of this can be attributed to the fact that he does not have passing ability of Andres Iniesta or Xavi Hernandez on his Argentinian team. He must play better in order for Argentina to succeed.
Maradona has a though decision on who to play alongside Messi. He could play Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero, Diego Milito, or Gonzalo Higuain. The problem is, all four are similar players and the best one to choose would be whoever has the most chemistry with Messi. Lately, that player has been Higuain. His height will provide the aerial attack that the other players, and Messi, lack. If Higuain does struggle as a starter, Maradona will have a quick trigger and wealth of talent to choose as his super sub. Aguero is the quickest, Tevez the most technically gifted with the ball, and Milito is a scavenger around the net.
Player to Watch: Gonzalo Higuain
Higuain had a choice three years ago whether to play for Argentina or for his father's birth country, France. He ended up choosing Argentina and they can count their lucky stars that he did. With all eyes turning to Messi during the World Cup, other players will have to step up their games. Look for Messi's striker partner to capitalize on his chance to excel on the world's biggest stage. Higuain provides the most diversity to partner with Messi despite the talents of Tevez, Aguero and Milito. He's the tallest of the three at six-feet tall and has the speed to match Aguero.
He has a knack for being in the right place at the right time and has great instincts around the penalty area. He has only played in four games for the national team but has scored twice in those games. He may lack the big game experience that Maradona is looking for but it would be a mistake not to start him.
Prediction: Quarterfinal loss to Germany
The final squad will not be announced until June 10 but here is a small list of players in the running to make the team.
Match Schedule
Sports Illustrated Profile
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