Source: Daily_Mail
Carlos Tevez left out of Argentina squad to play Portugal
Carlos Tevez has been dropped from Argentina's squad for a glamour game against Portugal next month and faces a battle regain his place for this summer's Copa America on home soil. [LNB]The Manchester City striker is paying the price for boss Sergio Batista wanting to try Lionel Messi as the central striker in a 4-3-3 formation. [LNB]Tevez could similarly be forced out to the flanks at Eastlands by the arrival of Edin Dzeko, but Batista has decided to leave him out all together for the friendly in Geneva on February 9 - despite already having to make do without injured Real Madrid star Gonzalo Higuain. [LNB] Left out: Tevez has not been named in the Argentina squad to take on Portugal[LNB]The Argentina manager wants to formulate his plans around Barcelona forward Messi, who faced a backlash in Spain when beating World Cup winners Andres Iniesta and Xavi to the Ballon d'Or title. [LNB] [LNB]ARGENTINA SQUAD [LNB]Goalkeepers: Romero (AZ Alkmaar),Andujar (Catania) [LNB]Defenders: Zanetti (Inter Milan), Zabaleta (Manchester City), Burdisso (AS Roma), Otamendi (Porto), Milito (Barcelona), Pareja, Rojo (both Spartak Moscow), Garay (Real Madrid) [LNB]Midfielders: Mascherano (Barcelona), Cambiasso (Inter Milan), Banega (Valencia), Gago, Di Maria (both Real Madrid), Pastore (Palermo), Biglia (Anderlecht), Sosa (Napoli), Perez (Estudiantes) [LNB]Forwards: Messi (Barcelona), Milito (Inter Milan), Lavezzi (Napoli), Martinez (Velez Sarsfield), Gaitan (Benfica) [LNB]'Lionel doesn't need to win a World Cup to prove that he's the best player in the world,' said Batista. 'We're looking at one of the best players ever. We have to build a team around him.'[LNB] It is speculated that Tevez's closeness to former boss Diego Maradona could be a factor in the surprise decision, but Batista left the door open for a return. [LNB] 'Neither Tevez nor any of the lads who were left off this list are out of the national team,' he said. 'It's just a matter that I want to see other players. I wish to have 20 games before the Copa America, but I don't, so I have to take each chance.' [LNB]Maradona's son in law Sergio Aguero is another omitted, along with veteran defenders Gabriel Heinze and Martin Demichelis. [LNB][LNB] Barca legend Cruyff urges club to sell Brazilian Alves to Manchester CityMan City outcast Emmanuel Adebayor on brink of sealing loan switch to boost Jose Mourinho's ranks at Real MadridClub-by-club guide to every Premier League transfer deal during JanuaryAll the latest Manchester City news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Edin Dzeko, Andres Iniesta, Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero, Diego Maradona, Xavi, Gabriel Heinze, Lionel Messi Places: Barcelona, Spain, Argentina, Portugal
