Messi, Aguero called up, Tevez snubbed

Argentina coach Martino announces 23-man squad for Copa America


Afp May 22, 2016
PHOTO: AFP

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina coach Gerardo Martino named his 23-man squad for the Copa America, pinning his hopes on Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero but ignoring Carlos Tevez.

Idolised by his Boca Juniors club and popular throughout Argentina, Tevez was overlooked in favour of Gonzalo Higuain who smashed a record 36 goals in Serie A this season with Napoli.

Argentina are looking for a first major international title in 23 years having lost two recent finals — to Germany at the 2014 World Cup and against Chile in last year’s Copa America.

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This year’s Copa America Centenario, marking the 100th anniversary of the South American confederation Conmebol, will be played in the United States from June 3-26.

It will feature four teams from the Concacaf region including the US and Mexico.

Argentina are in Group D at the tournament and face Chile (June 6), Panama (June 10) and Bolivia (June 14).

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Argentina squad

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero, Nahuel Guzman, Mariano Andujar

Defenders: Gabriel Mercado, Facundo Roncaglia, Nicolas Otamendi, Jonathan Maidana, Ramiro Funes Mori, Marcos Rojo, Víctor Cuesta.

Midfielders: Matias Kranevitter, Augusto Fernandez, Javier Mascherano, Ever Banega, Lucas Biglia, Javier Pastore, Erik Lamela.

Attackers: Angel di Maria, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Nicolas Gaitan.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2016.

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