Javier Saviola is back on the radar

It appears Saviola has finally found a happy home with Portugal's Benfica after many years of disenchantment with various European clubs. This season he joined the other two Argentine players Pablo Aimar & the youthful Angel DiMaria to form a very effective trident. He has already score 4 times in 7 appearances for Benefica thus becoming a house favorite. Let's see if he gets on Maradona's radar and possibly back on the national team.

Argentina Vs Paraguay - Maradona's last chance

Argentina needs a big win today to have a chance at world cup qualification and for Maradona to remain as the coach.

As for Maradona's coaching, it is pretty obvious that the Messi, Aguero & Tevez combinations have not been very productive in terms of goals. The only good change he has done so far is let Jesus Datolo play as his wingman.

I still think he is not using his squad to its full potential. For example, Maradona has Lisandro Lopez, who at this moment is one of the most productive strikers in Europe sitting one the bench. Would it really hurt the team to give him a chance. In the last friendly against Russia, Lisandro scored immediately after entering the game. Come on Maradona put Lisandro in the game - You won't regret it.

Lisandro Lopez is Pure Goal

Lisandro Lopez showed off for his new team of Lyon & Maradona yesterday with a hat trick against Anderlecht. Before his call up to the Argentine national team, he was probably one of the most underrated top strikers in Europe while he played for the Portuguese champions of Porto. Now he has Europe's & Maradona's full attention and he is not wasting any time. He has proven to have immediate impact early in the game producing important goals. I think his chances of starting against Brazil is rapidly increasing. Lets hope Maradona doesn't ignore this talent and lets him show off some more.

Gonzalo Higuain: keeps proving his worth

In Real Madrid's 3-0 win against DC United (MLS league USA)- It was the 21 yr old, Gonzalo Higuain that scored with flair not Cristiano Ronaldo or Kaka. Hopefully, Maradona is paying attention to this very talented striker who deserves a chance to play for the Argentine national team.

Transfer Price paid by Real Madrid
£80m for Cristiano Ronaldo
£56m for Kaka
£13m for Higuain

Argentina Vs Russia - Statistics

Argentina's record against Russia (most games were with USSR)


Won: 3
Lost: 2
Tied: 6
Total games played = 11


Go to AFA's website for a detailed description of all the games Argentina & Russia have played through out history. It includes all the players names and goal scorers.

Argentina Vs Russia Friendly - Maradona selects his team

Maradona selects his team for the August 12 frindly against Russia. Maradona is not very keen on going to Russia but will make the best of it. The two new faces to the call up are Jesus Datolo of Napoli. This ex-Boca wing man does his best work on the left. The other face is the central midfielder Mario Bolatti who was considered the top player of the 2009 Argentine 1st Division playing for Huracan (runner up to the champs Velez).

Juan Pablo Carrizo (Zaragoza – Spain)
Mariano Andújar (Catania – Italy)
Javier Zanetti (Inter – Italy)
Emiliano Papa (Vélez Sársfield – Argentina)
Gabriel Heinze (Real Madrid – Spain)
Daniel Díaz (Getafe – Spain)
Nicolás Burdisso (Internazionale – Italy)
Nicolás Otamendi (Vélez Sársfield – Argentina)
Martín Demichelis (Bayern Munich – Germany)
Javier Mascherano (Liverpool – UK)
Fernando Gago (Real Madrid – Spain)
Sebastian Battaglia (Boca Juniors – Argentina)
Mario Bolatti (Huracán – Argentina)
Maximiliano Rodríguez (Atlético Madrid – Spain)
Jonás Gutiérrez (Newcastle United – UK)
Jesús Dátolo (Napoli – Italy)
Juan Sebastián Verón (Estudiantes – Argentina)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona – Spain)
Sergio Agüero (Atlético Madrid – Spain)
Carlos Tevez (Manchester City – UK)
Lisandro López (Olympique Lyonnais – Francia)
Diego Milito (Internazionale – Italy)
Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli – Italy).

Argentine Soccer Players: Transfers & Rumors 2009/2010 season

It seems like the summer transfer window is opening up for the 2009/2010 season. Below are some major confirmed transfer & rumors that are in the works for high profile Argentine players.

-------Confirmed-------

Eduardo Salvio (Striker - Lanus, Arg) >>> Fiorentina
Gabriel Heinze (Defender - Real Madrid, Spain) >>> Olympique de Marseille
Lucho Gonzalez (Midfielder - Porto, Portugal) >>> Olympique de Marseille
Sebastián Prediger (Midfielder - Colon, Arg) >>> FC Porto, Portugal
Daniel Montenegro (Midfielder - Independiente, Arg) >>> Club America, Mexico
Diego Valeri (Midfielder - Lanus, Arg) >>> FC Porto, Portugal
Rodigo Palacio (Forward - Boca Juniors) >>> Genoa, Italy
Carlos Tevez (Forward - Manchester United) >>> Manchester City
Lisandro Lopez (Forward - Porto, Portugal) >>> Lyon, France
Lucho Gonzalez (Midfielder - Porto) >>> Marseille, France
Emanuel Villa (Forward - Derby, UK) >>> Cruz Azul, Mexico
Diego Milito (Forward - Genoa, Italy) >>> Inter Milan
Lucio Filomeno(Forward - Asteras Tripolis, Greece) >>> PAOK
Franco Zuculini (Midfielder - Racing, Arg.) >>> Hoffenheim, Ger
Jose Shaffer (Defender-Racing, Arg.) >>> Benefica, Portugal
Javier Saviola (Forward - Real Madrid, Spain) >>> Benefica, Portugal
Mariano Andujar (Goalie - Estudiantes, Arg.) >>> Catania, Italy
Hernan Crespo (Forward - Inter Milan, Italy) >>> Genoa, Italy
Lucas Viatri (Forward - Boca Juniors, Arg.) >>> Siena, Italy
Fabián Vargas (Midfielder - Boca Juniors, Arg.) >>> Almeria, Spain
Leandro Gracián (Midfielder - Boca Juniors, Arg.) >>> Aris Salónica, Greece
Luciano Figueroa (Forward - Boca Juniors, Arg.) >>> Genoa, Italy


-------Close to Confirmation-------



-------Rumors-------

Matias De Federico (Foward - Huracan, Arg.) >>> Liverpool
Sergio Aguero (Foward - Atletico Madrid, Spain) >>> Manchester United -OR- Chelsea
Jonas Gutierrez (Midfielder - Newcastle) >>> Fulham
Maxi Rodriguez Midfielder - Atletico Madrid, Spain) >>> Tottenham, UK
Javier Mascherano (Midfielder - Liverpool, UK) >>> Barcelona, Spain
Julio Cruz (Forward - Inter Milan, Italy) >>> Napoli, Italy
Ezequiel Lavezzi (Forward - Napoli, Italy >>> Liverpool, UK
Juan Carrizo (Goalie - Lazio, Italy) >>> Real Zaragoza, Spain