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Goalkeepers
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Carlos Roa
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(Mallorca, Spain), age 28, 9 caps.
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Added to the roster when Argentina struggled midway
through qualifying. Cemented No. 1 place after Ignacio
Gonzalez head-butted a Bolivian player in
La Paz in 1997.
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German Adrian Burgos
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(River Plate), 29, 11 caps.
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Emerged
from the pack of possible goalkeepers when his saves allowed
Argentina to sneak away with a 0-0 draw in their third World Cup
qualifying tie against Peru in Lima. Played in the stunning 1-0
win over Brazil on April 29.
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Pablo Cavallero
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(Velez Sarsfield), 24, 4 caps.
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Is only
No. 2 goalkeeper for Velez Sarsfield behind Paraguayan
captain Jose Luis Chilavert. He allowed two goals in his first
international against Venezuela in December 1996.
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Defenders
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Nestor Sensini
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(Parma, Italy), 31, 42 caps.
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A tough tackler rated as one fo the best defenders in Serie A. One of the most
experienced members of a young squad.
Pablo Paz (Tenerife, Spain), 25, 10 caps.
Tall defender
who goes forward for set pieces to put his
ability in the air to good use.
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Roberto Ayala
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(Napoli, Italy), 25, 35 caps.
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An accomplished
defender who made Argentine debut in Daniel Passarella's
first match as coach, a 3-0 away friendly victory over Chile.
Also strong in the air.
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Nelson Vivas
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(Lugano, Switzerland), 28, 11 caps.
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Under fire
from the national media for his supposed inability to mark. More
impressive when going forward.
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Jose Chamot
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(Lazio, Italy), 28 (29 on May 17), 35 caps.
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Physically imposing, tenacious stopper who played in the 1994
finals.
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Hector Pineda
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(Udinese, Italy), 30, 11 caps.
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Versatile
player who can defend down either flank and push into attack if
needed.
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Hernan Diaz
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(River Plate), 33, 25 caps.
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Another veteran of
the 1994 campaign. He made his international debut in 1987. Has
recently been out of favor with Passarella, however.
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Javier Zanetti
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(Inter Milan, Italy), 24, 29 caps.
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Likes to start attacks. Has speed, sound technique and is
a fine all-round player, though he was not picked for the later
stages of qualifying.
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Midfielders
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Diego Simeone
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(Inter Milan, Italy), 28, 66 caps.
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Nicknamed
"The Indian," his international career began with Argentina's
shock 4-1 loss to Australia in the Bicentennial Cup in Sydney in
1988. A combative defensive midfielder who inspires his teammates.
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Matias Almeyda
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(Lazio, Italy), 24, 15 caps.
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A center-half
with good ball skills, he probably owes his place in the side to
the refusal of Real Madrid's Fernando Redondo to play for
Passarella.
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Juan Sebastian Veron
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(Sampdoria, Italy), 23, 15 caps.
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He's inexperienced but this shaven-headed player often
assumes the role of team leader on the field. Strong and
spirited with a great right-foot shot, he could be one of the
stars of France '98. Nicknamed "The Witch."
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Christian Bassedas
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(Velez Sarsfield), 25, 20 caps.
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Was
chosen as part of Passarella's new generation in
1994. Faces fierce competition for a place as a starter.
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Leonardo Astrada
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(River Plate), 28, 30 caps.
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Made his first
appearance for Argentina against Mexico in 1991. A reliable if
unspectacular player who is liked by the coach.
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Marcelo Gallardo
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(River Plate), 23, 24 caps.
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Nicknamed "The
Doll," this creative midfielder has been one of the key figures
in River Plate's recent success. Occasionally overshadowed by
Ariel Ortega.
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Sergio Berti
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(River Plate), 29, 21 caps.
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Very fit and fast
but inconsistent and likes to discuss matters with referees.
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Ariel Ortega
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(Valencia, Spain), 24, 48 caps.
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A brilliant
dribbler and possibly the most talented player on the
Argentine team. He first came into the international spotlight
in the 1994 World Cup finals. Scored a superb goal against
Ireland in an April friendly that said everything about his
balance, deft touch and eye for goal. Wears Diego Maradona's
No. 10 and is not flattered by the comparison.
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Marcelo Escudero
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(River Plate), 25, 9 caps.
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A frequent scorer for River Plate this season who might make the squad.
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Rodolfo Cardoso
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(Boca Juniors), 29, 10 caps.
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The first of
his 10 appearances for Argentina came in the 6-0 destruction of
Venezuela in 1995. Since then his chances have been limited.
Formerly with Hamburg SV of Germany.
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Diego Cagna
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(Boca Juniors), 28, 14 caps.
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Impressive
performances for his club have seen him fight his way back into
the national squad. Made his international debut in 1992.
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Forwards
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Gabriel Batistuta |
(Fiorentina, Italy), 29, 59 caps.
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Prolific
striker known as "Batigol" who is the squad's glamour boy, and
might even give Brazil's Ronaldo a run for his money as the
best striker at France '98. With 38 international goals he
is Argentina's all-time leading scorer, but
was mystifyingly left out of the national side for months during
qualifying.
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Claudio Lopez
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(Valencia, Spain), 23, 18 caps.
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Usually plays
behind the two frontrunners. Bore the brunt of public
dismay when Batistuta was omitted, but scored a superb winner in
the April win over Brazil.
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Hernan Crespo
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(Parma, Italy), 22 (23 on July 5), 14 caps.
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A
favorite of Passarella. A sharp finisher who was a star of the
Olympic team that won silver in Atlanta two years ago but has
not always played as well for his country as he does for his
club.
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Abel Balbo
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(Roma, Italy), 31 (32 on June 1), 30 caps.
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Excellent sniper in Serie A who seems to have fallen out of
favor with Passarella and will be lucky to make the final roster.
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Claudio Caniggia
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(Boca Juniors), 31, 52 caps.
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Old ally of
Maradona and star of the last two World Cups but has spent most
of the last two struggling against injury and loss of form. Has
shown glimpses of his old skills this season but is still a long
shot to make the squad.
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