Colon defender Ariel Garce was the biggest surprise in Argentina’s (6/4 to be the top South American team) 23-man World Cup squad, which coach Diego Maradona released on Wednesday.
Garce, 30, has won just one cap for the national team and had been regarded as a surprise choice in the 30-man provisional squad named last week.
That appearance came in a 4-0 friendly win over Haiti two weeks ago, when Argentina fielded a side made up entirely of home-based players.
Garce was suspended for six months for doping in 2006 and plays for the Argentine club Colon. He was preferred to Inter Milan defender and captain Javier Zanetti.
The seven men cut from the provisional squad are Newcastle defender Fabricio Coloccini, Newell’s Old Boys defender Juan Manuel Insaurralde, Jose Sosa of Estudiantes, Olympiacos midfielder Jesus Datolo, Napoli forward Ezequiel Lavezzi, Lanus’ Sebastian Blanco and Juan Mercier of Argentinos Juniors.
The squad includes Lionel Messi (10/1 top goalscorer) and the country’s other big stars, which seems set to give the squad an abundance of talent up front, led by Messi, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain.
Maradona, who presented a provisional 30-man squad last week, selected a group that includes three goalkeepers, seven defenders, seven at midfield and six forwards.
Maradona is likely to start Messi with Tevez or Higuain up front with a midfield anchored by Javier Mascherano, Juan Sebastian Veron, Jonas Gutierrez and Angel Di Maria. The four starters at the back are expected to be Nicolas Otamendi, Martin Demichelis, Walter Samuel and Gabriel Heinze.
The starting goalkeeper is almost sure to be Sergio Romero of Dutch club AZ Alkmaar.
Argentina struggled to reach the World Cup, qualifying fourth – the last automatic spot from South America.
Maradona has been in charge for 19 months but has failed to show the same great flair as a coach that he had as a player.
Argentina face Canada on Monday at River Plate’s stadium in Buenos Aires, in what is expected to be its last warm-up before the World Cup.
The 1978 and ‘86 champions open on June 12 in South Africa against Nigeria and also faces Greece and South Korea in Group B.
Argentine officials confirmed for the first time that the team will depart for South Africa on May 28.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon).
Defenders: Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille), Nicolas Burdisso (AS Roma), Ariel Garce (Colon), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes).
Midfielders: Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Javier Pastore (Palermo), Maxi Rodriguez (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina).
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors).
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