By Rick Minars

(Official ONELOVE Argentina Correspondent)

Its official!  This morning Diego Armando Maradona has announced the official list of 23 players that will be representing the Albiceleste in South Africa.

In my previous article on Argentina, I had mentioned a possible starting line up for the official World Cup squad. This has now been confirmed and my speculations are correct. Maradona’s squad and World Cup starting eleven had been tested early on this past February against Germany in a friendly.

El Diego had to leave out 7 players from the intial 30 player preliminary roster. The 7 players who did not make the final cut are, Coloccini, Insaurralde, Mercier, José Sosa, Dátolo, Blanco and Lavezzi. The only surprises from this list that were left out were Coloccini with World Cup experience and Lavezzi who can be used as a winger up front and in the midfield.

The official List of Argetina’s 23 players are:

Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), 23 years old, 5 caps, first World Cup.

Diego’s starting goal keeper.

Nicolás Otamendi (Vélez), 22 years old, 6 caps, first World Cup.

One of Maradona’s surprises and favorites. The center back will be playing in as an outside back for Argentina’s starting eleven just like he did against Germany this past February.

Martín Demichelis (Bayern Munich), 29 years old, 25 caps first World Cup.

Starter and Key defender for Maradona and Bayern Munich.  Definitely one of the best defensive players in the world.

Walter Samuel (Inter), 32 years old, 54 caps, second World Cup.

Like Demichelis, Samuel will be playing the UEFA Champions league and will join the National side after the final against Bayern Munich.   His recent performance with Inter has earned him a spot again on the Albiceleste.

Gabriel Heinze (Olympique), 29 years old, 65 caps, second World Cup.

Maradona considers Heinze untouchable in the starting eleven and considers him to be a leader and the Oscar Ruggeri of Argentina of this era.

Jonás Gutiérrez (Newcastle), 27 years old, 15 caps, first World Cup.

It did not matter to Diego if Jonas played in the Prem’s third division league with Newcastle. It obviously goes to show that he is starting on the outside for Maradona.

Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), 25 years old, 56 caps, second World Cup.

Another of Diego’s favorites and rightfully so. Maradona’s Captain and leader on the field. As mention in my previous Argentina article, Mascherano will be playing closely with the back line to help transition to the attack.

Juan Sebastián Verón (Estudiantes), 35 years old, 69 caps, third World Cup.

A leader without the captian’s arm band but the conductor of Argentina’s offense.

Angel Di María (Benfica), 22 years old, 7 caps, first World Cup.

A deadly, speedy, and skillful lefty that can play upfront and on the outside midfield.

Lionel Messi (Barcelona), 22 years old, 45 caps, second World Cup.

Currently the best player in the world and Argentina’s hope. El Diego wants Messi to play freely up top.

Gonzalo Higuaín (Real Madrid), 22 years old, 4 caps, first World Cup.

Star forward for Real Madrid. Proved his colors for Maradona by scoring in a WC qualifier against Peru and scoring against Germany this past February.

Mariano Andújar (Catania), 26 years old, 4 caps, first World Cup.

Back up to Romero.

Diego Pozo (Colón), 32 years old, 3 caps, first World Cup.

Third string Keeper.

Nicolás Burdisso (Inter), 29 years old, 28 caps, second World Cup.

An alternate center back and outside back for Maradona. Burdisso made his way back on to Maradona’s list by his recent performance for Roma and was heavily considered  for his World Cup experience.

Clemente Rodríguez (Estudiantes), 28 years old, 11 caps, first World Cup.

Rodriquez is the only true outside back on the list of 23. He can play on both sides and is known to also be very speedy, skillful, and  has a deadly shot.

Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), 25 years old, 4 caps, first World Cup.

Mascherano’s back up.

Javier Pastore (Palermo), 20 years old, Zero Caps, first World Cup.

Argentina’s coaching staff consider him to be the replacement for Veron when he is tired and another option for a creative midfielder who can conduct the attack.

Maxi Rodríguez (Liverpool), 29 years old, 35 caps, second World Cup.

Maxi won his spot over Jose Sosa due to his World Cup experience.

Sergio Agüero (Atlético Madrid), 21 years old, 21 caps, first World Cup.

Alternate forward to Messi.

Diego Milito (Inter), 30 years old, 21 caps, first Word Cup.

Leading goal scorer in the Serie A. Has won two championships so far this season and is on his way to a third possible championship with Inter this Saturday for the Champions League. As of now a non-starter under Maradona.

Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), 26 years old, 53 caps, second World Cup.

Playing extremely well this season with Man City. Tevez feels that this is his world Cup and that he will fight for a starting position but is considered under Maradona as his first alternate attacker.

Martín Palermo (Boca), 36 years old, 13 caps, first World Cup.

Considered the only true center forward on the list and Maradona’s savior against Peru in a WC qualifier. In times of need Palermo will be called up to play.

Ariel Garcé (Colón), 30 years old, 3 caps, first World Cup.

Maradona’s surprise pick.  The coaching staff was seduced by his personality on the field and especially for his capability of playing as a center back and as a outside back. At the moment Garce is considered to be Otamendi’s back up.

…

This is the official Player list that Maradona will be taking to represent Argentina in South Africa. There are some questionable picks  as there are certain players that were left off the initial preliminary roster. What is done is done and for all I know this can be a disastrous gamble or a well calculated coaching decision. The only way to find out is to see what happens this June.