Argentina names provisional 30-man 2014 World Cup squad

Jamie McDonald

Argentina names provisional 30-man 2014 World Cup squad - Some surprise names make the list, though they're unlikely to stick around.

Alejandro Sabella has named some surprise players in his provisional 30-man Argentina squad for the 2014 World Cup, but it's likely that they've been brought in with a view towards the 2015 and 2016 Copa America tournaments, rather than as actual competitors for first-choice players. Franco Di Santo, Lisandro Lopez and Fabian Rinaudo were surprise inclusions, but will almost certainly be among those cut.

Like Diego Maradona in 2010, Sabella doesn't have much to choose from in the way of natural fullbacks, and will have to play someone out of position if his starters get injured. The good news for him is that a few of his central defenders have played right back before, and that Pablo Zabaleta can fill in at left back in a pinch.

Lionel Messi is one of many forwards called into the team, and that list might only have Di Santo cut from it. Messi is likely to play behind a center forward, while both Sergio Aguero and Ezequiel Lavezzi play wide more than they play in the middle for Argentina.

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Monaco), Mariano Andújar (Catania), Agustín Orion (Boca Juniors)

Defenders: Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Federico Fernández (Napoli), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Portugal), José María Basanta (Monterrey), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan), Nicolás Otamendi (Atlético Mineiro), Martín Demichelis (Manchester City), Gabriel Mercado (River Plate), Lisandro López (Getafe)

Midfielders: Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Ever Banega (Newell's Old Boys), Angel Di María (Real Madrid), Maximiliano Rodríguez (Newell's Old Boys), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan), Augusto Fernández (Celta Vigo), Enzo Pérez (Benfica), José Sosa (Atlético Madrid), Fabian Rinaudo (Catania)

Forwards: Sergio Agüero (Manchester City), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuaín (Napoli), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan), Franco Di Santo (Werder Bremen) // ( sbnation.com )

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Messi's Latest Golazo Is Another Work Of Art

Messi's Solo Goal Against Getafe Is A Work Of Art (VIDEO/PHOTOS) - Attempting to definitively determine the most spectacular goal that Lionel Messi has ever scored for Barcelona can be an endeavor as wondrously frustrating as trying to calculate which structure built by architect Antoni Guadi in the Catalan capital required the most inspiration. Both masters of their craft produced multiple masterpieces worthy of repeat viewings with rare combinations of artistic flare and mechanical ingenuity.

The 26-year-old Barcelona talisman added to his body of work with a remarkable golazo on Thursday that turned Getafe's Coliseum Alfonso Perez into his own personal Park Guell. With Barcelona already leading Getafe 1-0 in their Copa Del Rey match, Messi embarked on a thrilling solo slalom through the defense to double the advantage in the 63rd minute.

The four-time Ballon d'Or winner began his diagonal right-to-left run to goal by leaping over the outstretched leg of midfielder Michel.

After hurdling that lunging tackle attempt approximately 30 yards from goal, Messi accelerated, driving the ball into the teeth of the Getafe back line.

With Rafa and Lisandro Lopez patrolling the center of the field outside the home penalty area, Messi veered to his left to keep the former on his right. Messi then slipped between the defenders before they could close off his path.

With those three behind him, Messi continued drifting left across the mouth of the goal. He rolled the ball into the penalty area behind Carlos Vigaray and caught up to it before the defender could track back.

With no defenders left to halt Messi's progress, goalkeeper Jordi Codina came off his line. Capping the scintillating diagonal dash through the defense in fitting style, Messi rounded Codina and scored from a tight angle.

After the ball rolled into the back of the home net, there was just one thing left for Messi to do: celebrate. ( huffingtonpost )

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