Argentina Announces Copa America Squad

By: Christian | June 21st, 2007

Alfio “El Coco” Basile just named his 22 starters for Copa America. On paper, this has to be the best national team squad in the world right now. As I thought, Juan Pablo Carrizo is the only current member of River to be named. Former players are in bold below. Disappointed to not see Saviola on there, but it’s not a total shock considering his lack of playing time at Barcelona.

What do you think? They have to be considered the favorites to win, and considering their disappointing WC performance last year, they should be looking to make a statement.

Goalkeepers:
Roberto Abbondanzieri
Juan Pablo Carrizo
Agustín Orión

Defenders:
Javier Zanetti
Roberto Ayala
Gabriel Heinze
Gabriel Milito
Daniel Díaz
Hugo Ibarra
Nicolás Burdisso

Midfield:
Luis González
Juan Román Riquelme
Javier Mascherano
Esteban Cambiasso
Fernando Gago
Juan Sebastián Verón
Pablo Aimar

Forwards:
Lionel Messi
Hernán Crespo
Diego Milito
Carlos Tevez
Rodrigo Palacio

Category: Team News

Tags: alfio basile, copa america, Team News

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• El Diablo |  June 21st, 2007 at 9:33 am

  
  
  

  Spoiler Alert: this is the unofficial list from Diario Ole, which basically consists of the 18 players currently training at the national team facility in Ezeiza, plus four guys from Boca who just arrived from last night’s win over Gremio. The team looks unstoppable, and yes, the only gallina will be Carrizo.

  Goalkeepers: Roberto Abbondanzieri (Getafe), Juan Pablo Carrizo (River Plate), Agustín Orión (San Lorenzo).

  Defenders: Roberto Ayala (Valencia), Javier Zanetti (Inter), Hugo Ibarra (Boca), Gabriel Milito (Zaragoza), Gabriel Heinze (Manchester United), Daniel Díaz (Boca), Nicolás Burdisso (Inter).

  Midfielders: Luis González (Porto), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Esteban Cambiasso (Inter), Fernando Gago (Real Madrid), Pablo Aimar (Zaragoza), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Juan Sebastián Verón (Estudiantes), Juan Román Riquelme (Boca).

  Forwards: Hernán Crespo (Inter), Diego Milito (Zaragoza),Carlos Tevez (West Ham), Rodrigo Palacio (Boca).

  Posted from United States

  

• Linda |  June 21st, 2007 at 6:57 pm

  
  
  

  It’s a great bunch of players, but I’m a bit worried about how they’ll gell. For example, is Riquelme going to be the center of the team again? If so, does one of Messi and Tevez have to be dropped? What about Veron, where will he play? And so on.

  Posted from Australia

  

• Sarrah |  June 21st, 2007 at 7:31 pm

  
  
  

  I think that it’s a strong squad and I’m so happy to see Riquelme back. He’s really been on his A game with Boca and I’m hoping that he brings it with him this summer. Riquelme has the ability to dictate the pace of the game so it’s awesome when he’s at his full strength. I wanna see Aimar play more. I don’t think that he starts enough. He’s an amazing player and almost always has an impact on the game when he’s subbed in. I think Argentina has a real chance at the Copa America this summer and I think they’ll be really anxious esp since last time they came sooo close.

  Posted from United States

  

• Gonzalo |  June 21st, 2007 at 11:53 pm

  
  
  

  I think it is a great squad. It is unfortunate to not see Javier Saviola in it, though. I thought he was one of our best players in the WC, as well as one of the top fowards in the NT friendlies since Basile assumed the position.

  I’m pretty sure that this won’t be the actual line-up, but this is my desired team:

  Juan Pablo Carrizo;
  Javier Zanetti-Roberto Ayala-Gabriel Milito-Gabriel Heinze;
  Luis Gonzalez-Javier Mascherano(#5)-Pablo Aimar(#10)-Lionel Messi;
  Hernan Crespo-Carlos Tevez;

  If Juan Roman Riquelme plays the same way he’s been playing for Boca lately, then of course I’d welcome him as a starter to the team. It’s just that I have those negative images of him with the NT jersey in the finals of the 2005 Confederations Cup, as well as the whole 2006 World Cup.

  Posted from United States

  

• Christian |  June 22nd, 2007 at 8:04 am

  
  
  

  Yeah, it hurts seeing Riquelme lift that CL trophy, but he’s been in form since his return to Argentina. I think memories of a poor WC will lift his spirits even more. Too bad the US won’t take a full strength squad. I don’t they have a chance of winning, but it would be a great opportunity to see where they stand.

  Posted from United States

  

• Amoldiego |  June 27th, 2007 at 1:35 am

  
  
  

  Ya ..Nice to see Riquelme back in the Team . He really one of the skillful player .But it is unfortunate to not see Juan Sorin in it, though. I thought he was one of the best defender and Argentina will surely miss him .
  I think Argentina has a gr8 chance to win Copa America.
  There will be no excuse if Argentina missed it…
  Viva Argentina.

  Posted from India

  

• farey |  June 27th, 2007 at 8:06 am

  
  
  

  its unfortunte not to see aguero.its pretty good chance for basile to experience the young players.

  Posted from United States

  

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