Argentina 2014 FIFA World Cup Squad: Player-by-Player Guide

Competition has been fierce for places in the Argentine squad. The Albiceleste are tipped as one of the favourites for the 2014 World Cup, and plenty of quality players have been left out in the cold by coach Alejandro Sabella. 

But who did make the cut for the Seleccion? The 30 men who make up the provisional list of call-ups are noted here, along with their vital statistics and what can be expected of them in the upcoming festival of international football. 

Name: Sergio Romero

Date of Birth: 22 February 1987

Birthplace: Bernardo de Irigoyen

Position: Goalkeeper

Caps: 45

Club: Monaco

Brief Bio: A lack of playing time at Monaco has led some to criticise Romero's place in the squad. But Sabella has always had faith in his goalkeeper, who, on his best days, can rival most No. 1s in the world for shot-stopping ability, if not for command of his area at dead-ball situations. 

Quick-Hit Fact: Ironically given his ample height, the 6'4" Romero's nickname is Chiquito (Tiny). As a child, he was dwarfed by his two basketball-playing brothers, who gave him the rather unjust tag. 

Quick-Hit Stat: An otherwise undistinguished spell with AZ was marked by a run of 955 minutes without conceding a goal, just 107 from the Dutch league record. 

Name: Mariano Andujar

Date of Birth: 30 July 1983

Birthplace: Buenos Aires

Position: Goalkeeper

Caps: 8

Club: Catania

Brief Bio: He has been with Sabella from the beginning, playing a key part in Estudiantes' first Libertadores triumph for 39 years. He's had few opportunities to star for Argentina, but is a dependable deputy for Romero. 

Quick-Hit Fact: He's the tallest man in the Argentina list at 1.94 metres (6'4.5"). 

Quick-Hit Stat: Andujar helped Estudiantes win the Copa Libertadores in 2009, setting a tournament record of 800 minutes without conceding a goal.

Name: Agustin Orion

Date of Birth: 26 July 1981

Birthplace: Ramos Mejia

Position: Goalkeeper

Caps: 3

Club: Boca Juniors

Brief Bio: While most Argentine players seek fame and fortune abroad, Orion has played his entire career in his home nation. Orion is an accomplished keeper, and while he is unlikely to play much part at the World Cup, he fully deserves the call-up. 

Quick-Hit Fact: He's won Argentine championships with three different clubs: San Lorenzo, Estudiantes and Boca Juniors. 

Quick-Hit Stat: Orlon is one of five players in the squad playing their club football in Argentina. 

Name: Pablo Zabaleta

Date of Birth: 16 January 1985

Birthplace: Buenos Aires

Position: Right-back

Caps: 36

Club: Manchester City

Brief Bio: A fixture on the right side of defence, the Manchester City star is also adept at switching flanks. Zabaleta is solid in defence while getting forward often enough to contribute in Argentina's offensive efforts. 

Quick-Hit Fact: He captained Argentina to their Under-20 World Cup victory in 2005 and was also a member of the 2008 Olympic gold-medal team.

Quick-Hit Stat: With 11 yellow cards, Zabaleta was this season's most booked player in the Premier League. 

Name: Gabriel Mercado

Date of Birth: 18 March 1987

Birthplace: Puerto Madryn

Position: Right-back

Caps: 1

Club: River Plate

Brief Bio: Without a doubt, he was the biggest surprise of all Argentina's 30 call-ups. But Mercado has deserved success due to an excellent season at River, which could well end with the Millonario lifting the title. 

Quick-Hit Fact: Mercado made his one and only appearance for the national team under Diego Maradona during a friendly against Jamaica in 2010. 

Quick-Hit Stat: He was part of a strong Racing Club academy contingent that won the 2007 Under-20 World Cup along with Sergio Romero, Claudio Yacob, Matias Sanchez and Maxi Moralez. 

Name: Federico Fernandez

Date of Birth: 21 February 1989

Birthplace: Tres Algarrobos

Position: Central defence

Caps: 24

Club: Napoli

Brief Bio: In spite of a lack of playing time at Napoli, Fernandez was entrusted a place in the Argentina defence alongside Ezequiel Garay and quickly struck up an intelligent partnership. His prowess at set pieces both defending and attacking gives him an important place in the starting XI. 

Quick-Hit Fact: A prospective move to Napoli in 2010 was delayed for six months due to difficulties in securing an EU passport. 

Quick-Hit Stat: Fernandez's debut with Getafe was a game to forget; the team was thrashed 6-1 by Barcelona, with international team-mate Lionel Messi getting one of the goals. 

Name: Ezequiel Garay

Date of Birth: 10 October 1986

Birthplace: Rosario

Position: Central defence

Caps: 18

Club: Benfica

Brief Bio: Garay has matured into a fine defender at Benfica, playing a key part in the team that this year lifted the league title and has reached the final of the Europa League. That form is why Garay has become Alejandro Sabella's first-choice centre-back. 

Quick-Hit Fact: He's another player in the squad who played in Argentina's trophy-winning age-group sides.

Quick-Hit Stat: He made his debut for the Albiceleste in August 2007, aged just 20. 

Name: Marcos Rojo

Date of Birth: 20 March 1990

Birthplace: La Plata

Position: Left-back

Caps: 20

Club: Sporting Lisbon

Brief Bio: Rojo is perhaps the most questionable member of the Argentine first team. But Sabella has backed him throughout, and although his defending is not the best, Rojo combines well with Angel Di Maria going forward on the left. 

Quick-Hit Fact: He was a Copa Libertadores winner with Sabella when Estudiantes triumphed in 2010. 

Quick-Hit Stat: The defender's four goals in this year's Primeira Liga was a personal best, as Rojo helped Sporting to second in the table. 

Name: Hugo Campagnaro

Date of Birth: 27 June 1980

Birthplace: Cordoba

Position: Central defence

Caps: 13

Club: Inter Milan

Brief Bio: The defender arrived late to top-class football, but forms a valuable part of the Albiceleste setup both as extra cover in middle of defence and as Pablo Zabaleta's deputy on the right. 

Quick-Hit Fact: He survived a road accident during a 2011 holiday in Argentina in which three people, including his best friend, were killed.

Quick-Hit Stat: Just over a month away from his 34th birthday, Campagnaro is the oldest member of the Argentina squad. 

Name: Jose Basanta

Date of Birth: 3 April 1984

Birthplace: Tres Sargentos

Positions: Central defence, full-back

Caps: 8

Club: Monterrey

Brief Bio: Basanta has entered the Argentina setup as a utility defender, filling in both on the left-hand side and in the middle.

Quick-Hit Fact: Sabella first called him up to play away to Bolivia at high altitude in La Paz a year ago, given his experience at his Mexican club and against other teams in that league.

Quick-Hit Stat: He has played in the FIFA Club World Cup three times with Monterrey, with his diligent defending making him a favourite with the Rayados faithful. 

Name: Nicolas Otamendi

Date of Birth: 12 February 1988

Birthplace: Buenos Aires

Position: Central defence

Caps: 16

Club: Atletico Mineiro

Brief Bio: Considered one of the best young defenders in Argentina, Otamendi's development was held back by a torrid time in South Africa four years ago. He has recovered from that blow, and his aerial ability is an added point in his favour. 

Quick-Hit Fact: He endured a World Cup to forget as a youngster in 2010, when playing out of position at right-back, he was tortured by Germany's Thomas Mueller in a 4-0 drubbing. 

Quick-Hit Stat: Scored the first goal of the Sabella era in a 1-0 win over Venezuela in a friendly in Kolkatta in September 2011.

Name: Martin Demichelis

Date of Birth: 20 December 1980

Birthplace: Justiniano Posse

Position: Centre-back

Caps: 37

Club: Manchester City

Brief Bio: Brought back from the international dead, Demichelis' decent spell with Manchester City and a shiny Premier League medal appears to have convinced Sabella there is still life in the veteran defender. 

Quick-Hit Fact: He has not played for the national team since 2011, when a disastrous error allowed Marcelo Martins to open the scoring for Bolivia during a 1-1 qualifying draw in Buenos Aires. 

Quick-Hit Stat: Demichelis is one of three Manchester City players in the squad along with Pablo Zabaleta and Sergio Aguero. 

Name: Lisandro Lopez

Date of Birth: 1 September 1989

Birthplace: Villa Constitucion

Position: Centre-back

Caps: 4

Club: Getafe

Brief Bio: His incredible ability in the air is Lopez's greatest strength as a defender, both in his own box and going up for set pieces. On loan at Getafe from Benfica, the youngster is widely rated as Argentina's best prospect in the middle of defence. 

Quick-Hit Fact: He helped Arsenal de Sarandi win their first-ever Primera Division title in 2012, partnering Nicolas Burdisso's brother, Guillermo, in the middle. 

Quick-Hit Stat: Lopez scored an impressive 17 goals in 119 games for Arsenal, a record of almost one every six matches. 

Name: Javier Mascherano 

Date of Birth: 8 June 1984 

Birthplace: San Lorenzo

Position: Defensive midfield

Caps: 95

Club: Barcelona

Brief Bio: Mascherano recovered from the blow of losing the captaincy to Lionel Messi in the only way he knows: with consummate professionalism and dedication. He covers a sometimes suspect defence and recovers countless loose balls to get his team moving on the counter. 

Quick-Hit Fact: He has won league titles with River Plate, Corinthians and Barca.

Quick-Hit Stat: Masche's 95 appearances make him the second-most capped midfielder in Argentina history behind Diego Simeone. 

Name: Fernando Gago

Date of Birth: 10 April 1986

Birthplace: Ciudadela

Position: Central midfield

Caps: 46

Club: Boca Juniors

Brief Bio: If he can stay fit, Gago is a key man for the Albiceleste. His World Cup preparation will be hampered by injury, but he has a range and quality of passing unmatched in the nation's midfield. 

Quick-Hit Fact: He's married to former professional tennis player Gisela Dulko.

Quick-Hit Stat: He has played just 20 club games for Boca in the 2013/14 period.  

Name: Lucas Biglia

Date of Birth: 30 January 1986

Birthplace: Mercedes

Position: Central midfielder

Caps: 17

Club: Lazio

Brief Bio: A player whose stock has risen massively in the last three years, Biglia is known as a reliable performer in the middle and will deputise for Mascherano during the World Cup. 

Quick-Hit Fact: He lifted the 2005 Under-20 World Cup along with current team-mates Messi, Aguero, Zabaleta, Garay and Gago. 

Quick-Hit Stat: Biglia has won four titles in six years in Belgium with Anderlecht.  

Name: Ever Banega

Date of Birth: 29 June 1988

Birthplace: Rosario

Position: Newell's Old Boys

Caps: 24

Club: Newell's Old Boys

Brief Bio: He has struggled desperately with injury and in finding his best form in a loan spell with Newell's. At his best, he's an intelligent distributor who adds calm and precision in the middle of the park. 

Quick-Hit Fact: Banega once broke his ankle and bones in his leg after being run over by his own car at a petrol station. 

Quick-Hit Stat: He scored his first international goal in the altitude of La Paz, helping Argentina to a 1-1 draw away to Bolivia in 2013. 

Name: Augusto Fernandez

Date of Birth: 10 April 1986

Birthplace: Pergamino

Position: Midfield

Caps: 7

Club: Celta Vigo

Brief Bio: An attack-minded midfielder who can play centrally or on either flank, Fernandez is intelligent with the ball and a real threat around the penalty area. 

Quick-Hit Fact: He was previously owned by Pini Zahavi of Tevez and Mascherano fame. 

Quick-Hit Stat: Fernandez has lifted the Argentine Primera Division title with two teams, River Plate (2008) and Velez Sarsfield (2011). 

Name: Jose Sosa

Date of Birth: 19 June 1985

Birthplace: Carcarana

Position: Attacking midfielder

Caps: 19

Club: Atletico Madrid

Brief Bio: Often underestimated as a footballer, Sosa has shown his worth as part of Atletico's wonderful 2013/14 campaign. Versatile enough to play either out wide or through the middle, the Santa Fe native also excels in his dead-ball execution. 

Quick-Hit Fact: He has a long relationship with Sabella, having played under the coach at Estudiantes after coming back from Bayern Munich.

Quick-Hit Stat: In his entire career, Sosa has only been red-carded on one occasion.

Name: Maxi Rodriguez

Date of Birth: 2 January 1981

Birthplace: Rosario

Positions: Attacking midfielder, striker

Caps: 52

Club: Newell's Old Boys

Brief Bio: An old mainstay of the Argentina squad, Rodriguez has been revitalised since moving back to hometown club Newell's Old Boys. 

Quick-Hit Fact: Maxi's spectacular goal against Mexico in the 2006 World Cup was voted strike of the tournament in an unofficial FIFA poll. 

Quick-Hit Stat: This will be the forward's third World Cup after playing in 2006 and 2010. Lionel Messi, Rodrigo Palacio and Maxi are the only survivors from the Germany tournament team eight years ago. 

Name: Fabian Rinaudo

Date of Birth: 15 May 1987

Birthplace: Armstrong

Position: Defensive midfielder

Caps: 4

Club: Catania

Brief Bio: With Gago's fitness still in doubt, Rinaudo was surprisingly drafted in to provide extra cover in the middle of the pitch. A newcomer to the squad, he's still remembered as a feisty competitor during his time with Gimnasia. 

Quick-Hit Fact: Rinaudo's hometown, Armstrong, was once a Jesuit colony before passing into the hands of the Central Argentine Railway and being named after company pioneer, British national Thomas Armstrong. 

Quick-Hit Stat: He's been unlucky enough to suffer relegation with two clubs: in 2011 with Gimnasia and this year with Catania. 

Name: Angel Di Maria

Date of Birth: 14 February 1988

Birthplace: Rosario

Position: Winger

Caps: 45

Club: Real Madrid

Brief Bio: Many tipped Di Maria for a Real Madrid exit when Gareth Bale arrived, but the left-footed star saw off the threat and made his own place in the Spanish giants. His success is a tribute not just to his dynamic, all-action talent down the flank, but also the determination that he replicates whenever he pulls on the Argentina shirt. 

Quick-Hit Fact: The winger's nickname, Fideo (Noodle), refers to his wiry physique. 

Quick-Hit Stat: Di Maria played a key role in both of Argentina's most recent international triumphs. Three goals in 2007 helped the under-20 team lift the World Cup, while a year later his audacious chip downed Nigeria in the Olympic Games' gold-medal match. 

Name: Ricardo Alvarez

Date of Birth: 12 April 1988

Birthplace: Buenos Aires

Position: Attacking midfielder

Caps: 5

Club: Inter Milan

Brief Bio: An attacking choice for midfield, Alvarez is excellent with the ball at feet and slowly establishing himself as an important player in the Inter setup. 

Quick-Hit Fact: He had to recover from a serious cruciate ligament injury just after breaking into the Velez Sarsfield first team, setting back his development.  

Quick-Hit Stat: Alvarez debuted under Sabella, making his first appearance in the coach's bow against Venezuela in 2011. 

Name: Enzo Perez

Date of Birth: 22 February 1986

Birthplace: Maipu

Position: Centre midfielder

Caps: 5

Club: Getafe

Brief Bio: A fixture of the Estudiantes team that excelled under Sabella, Perez's versatility and sparkling form for Benfica were decisive in earning the midfielder a call-up. 

Quick-Hit Fact: Perez will miss Benfica's Europa League final after picking up a red card against Juventus in the semi. 

Quick-Hit Stat: He has the distinction of winning both Argentina's top divisions, lifting the Nacional B title with Godoy Cruz in 2005/06 and leading Estudiantes to the 2010 Clausura. 

Name: Lionel Messi

Date of Birth: 24 June 1987

Birthplace: Rosario

Position: Playmaker/striker

Caps: 84

Club: Barcelona

Brief Bio: Argentina's captain and the driving force behind the team, Messi has broken every record going in Barcelona. His home fans are expectant as the Albiceleste try to break a World Cup drought of 28 years. 

Quick-Hit Fact: Messi owes his somewhat unusual name to his father, who named him Lionel after singer Lionel Richie. 

Quick-Hit Stat: The all-time second-highest scorer for his country with 37 goals, Messi is 19 behind Gabriel Batistuta.

Name: Gonzalo Higuain

Date of Birth: 10 December 1987

Birthplace: Brest, France

Position: Striker

Caps: 36

Club: Napoli

Brief Bio: He's a powerful, direct striker, but also more than capable of turning on the skill. Higuain's goals formed the backbone of the Argentina qualifying campaign, and he has proved a worthy successor to international centre-forward legends like Batistuta and Kempes. 

Quick-Hit Fact: Higuain was born in France, where father Jorge represented Stade Brestois and was courted by Les Bleus before opting for Argentina. 

Quick-Hit Stat: He became only the third player to score a hat-trick for Argentina in a World Cup, after Guillermo Stabile and Gabriel Batistuta, with his triple against South Korea in 2010.

Name: Sergio Aguero

Date of Birth: 2 June 1988

Birthplace: Quilmes

Position: Striker

Caps: 50

Club: Manchester City

Brief Bio: A tricky, confident forward with the ball at feet who poses more and more of a threat in front of goal as the years go by, Aguero has matured admirably since moving to Manchester and is well-established as an almost automatic choice in the Argentina forward line. 

Quick-Hit Fact: Aguero is the father of Diego Maradona's first grandson, Benjamin.

Quick-Hit Stat: Kun was the youngest-ever player to debut in the Argentine Primera Division with Independiente, making his bow at at the age of 15 years, one month and three days. 

Name: Rodrigo Palacio

Date of Birth: 5 February 1982

Birthplace: Bahia Blanca, Spain

Position: Striker

Caps: 21

Club: Inter Milan

Brief Bio: After years in the international wilderness, Palacio was called up by Alejandro Sabella during the qualifying campaign to give Argentina a more cerebral attacking option off the bench.

Quick-Hit Fact: Jose Ramon, the forward's father, was also a professional footballer. Born in Spain, Palacio moved to Argentina from Cantabria and represented Olimpo for almost 10 years, making more than 300 appearances. 

Quick-Hit Stat: It has taken Palacio no less than nine years to accumulate 21 international caps, after making his debut in 2005. 

Name: Ezequiel Lavezzi

Date of Birth: 3 May 1985

Birthplace: Villa Gobernador Galvez

Position: Striker

Caps: 29

Club: Paris Saint-Germain

Brief Bio: A key part of Argentina's attack for his versatility and work-rate, Lavezzi always gives his all for the Seleccion. While there are technically more talented players around, few have as much heart as the PSG man. 

Quick-Hit Fact: Although Lavezzi was born in the outskirts of Rosario and played in Central's youth divisions, it was with lower league Estudiantes de Buenos Aires that he first appeared in senior football. 

Quick-Hit Stat: A hat-trick against Pisa in 2007 was the first scored by a Napoli player in 14 years. 

Name: Franco Di Santo

Date of Birth: 7 April 1989

Birthplace: Mendoza

Position: Striker

Caps: 4

Club: Werder Bremen

Brief Bio: In an Argentine attack dominated by diminutive figures, the burly Di Santo adds a taller dimension to the forward equation. In good form for Werder after a disappointing Premier League career, his choice was nevertheless one of the day's surprises.

Quick-Hit Fact: The striker has represented three English clubs in his short career: Chelsea, Blackburn and Wigan. 

Quick-Hit Stat: At 6'4", Di Santo towers a full nine inches over his captain Lionel Messi.