Argentina have selected a predictably awesome roster of players for the Copa America this summer.
Unsurprisingly—as has been the case for recent international tournaments—the Albiceleste have been able to call upon a sublime collection of world-class attacking players.
The headline acts, of course, are Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi and Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero, although the likes of Gonzalo Higuain of Napoli—who broke the all-time scoring record in Serie A this season—Nicolas Gaitan, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel Di Maria will all provide elite competition for the South American giants’ forward line.
There are two key shocks in Gerardo Martino’s squad, with Boca Juniors forward Carlos Tevez being overlooked and 27-year-old Victor Cuesta of Independiente a surprise inclusion in the backline.
Tevez has featured 76 times for the national side, winning Olympic gold in 2004 and featuring for Argentina in two World Cups and four Copa America competitions.
Throughout the squad there is elite quality, with La Liga stars such as Javier Mascherano, Augusto Fernandez and Ever Banega featuring in a talented midfield alongside the likes of Erik Lamela of Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio’s Lucas Biglia and Paris Saint-Germain’s elite playmaker Javier Pastore.
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In defence, three EPL sides are represented, with Marcos Rojo of Manchester United, Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City and Ramiro Funes Mori of Everton set to feature in a defence that isn’t as strong as other areas of the squad.
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Complete Argentine Copa America squad
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Manchester United), Nahuel Guzmán (Tigres, de México) y Mariano Andújar (Estudiantes).
Defenders: Facundo Roncaglia (Fiorentina), Marcos Rojo (Manchester United), Nicolás Otamendi (Manchester City), Ramiro Funes Mori (Everton), Víctor Cuesta (Independiente), Jonathan Maidana (River) and Gabriel Mercado (River).
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Augusto Fernández (Atlético Madrid), Matías Kranevitter (Atlético Madrid), Éver Banega (Sevilla), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Erik Lamela (Tottenham) and Javier Pastore (Paris Saint Germain).
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuaín (Napoli), Sergio Agüero (Manchester City), Ángel Di María (Paris Saint Germain), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Hebei Fortune, China), Nicolás Gaitán (Benfica).