Argentina announced a provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup being held by their South American neighbors, Brazil. Four-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi took his well expected place on the list, and was joined by fellow La Liga Argentine star Angel Di Maria.
However, the preliminary list carried a heartbreak for Juventus forward Carlos Tevez, as Alejandro Sabella turned a blind eye on the Scudetto champion.
The Bianconeri forward was joined by Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Javier Pastore, and misfiring Tottenham player Erik Lamela, as these trio failed to make the cut. Meanwhile, ex-Wigan and current Werder Bremen striker Franco Di Santos shockingly got the nod.
Argentina's provisional 30-man squad for the 2014 World Cup
Barcelona and Real Madrid's Argentine duo, Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria, were expected inclusions
Controversial: Juventus striker Carlos Tevez didn't make it
SHOCKING: Werder Bremen's Franco Di Santos got the nod over Carlos Tevez, Javier Pastore, and Erik Lamela
Just to confirm former Wigan striker Franco Di Santo is in the Argentina squad ahead of the likes of Tevez, Erik Lamela and Javier Pastore.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 13, 2014
Though Pastore didn't make it, his PSG teammate Lavezzi did
PSG star Ezequiel Lavezzi was called up, and will compete with Manchester City's Sergio Aguero, Napoli's Gonzalo Higuain, and Inter Milan's Ricardo Palacio for a spot in Sabella's starting XI at the World Cup.
Napoli's Higuain, and Man City's Aguero booked their place in Argentina's attack
Other high-profile absentees include Inter Milan duo Esteban Cambiasso and Walter Samuel, though Rodrigo Palacio made the cut
Argentina will have a strong defence in the form of Lionel Messi's Blaugrana teammate Javier Mascherano, English Premier League winning duo Pablo Zabaleta and Martin Demichelis, and Benfica's treble champion Ezequiel Garay.
Mascherano, Zabaleta, and Garay also make it into the squad
Alejandro Sabella announced Argentina's final 23-man World Cup squad on June 2. The players who made the cut complete this picture:
