The South American Lists ...

[Vip]

Brazil

Keepers: Dida (Milán-ITA), Julio Cesar (Inter-ITA) & Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo).

Defenders: Cafu (Milán-ITA), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid-SPA), Cicinho, (Real Madrid-SPA) & Gilberto (Hertha Berlín-GER), Lucio (Bayern Munich-GER), Juan (Bayer Leverkusen-GER), Cris (Lyon-FRA) & Luisao (Benfica-POR).

Midfielders: Emerson (Juventus-ITA), Ze Roberto (Bayern Múnich-GER), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal-ENG), Juninho Permanbucano (Lyon-FRA), Kaka (Milán-ITA), Ronaldinho (Barcelona-ESP), Edmilson (Barcelona-ESP) & Ricardinho (Corinthians).

Forwards: Ronaldo, (Real Madrid-SPA), Adriano (Inter-ITA), Robinho (Real Madrid-SPA) & Fred (Lyon-FRA).


=====================


Argentina:

The final, no speculation or guessing, list ... from the mouth of Pekerman:

Goalkeepers: Roberto Abbondanzieri (Boca Juniors/ARG), Leonardo Franco (Atletico Madrid/SPA), Oscar Ustari (Independiente/ARG).

Defenders: Fabricio Coloccini (Dep. Coruna/SPA), Roberto Ayala (Valencia/SPA), Gabriel Heinze (Man. Utd/ENG), Juan Pablo Sorin (Villarreal/SPA), Gabriel Milito (Real Zaragoza/SPA), Nicolas Burdisso (Inter/ITA), Leandro Cufre (Roma/ITA).

Midfielders: Esteban Cambiasso (Inter/ITA), Javier Mascherano (Corinthians/BRA), Luis Gonzalez (Porto/POR), Pablo Aimar (Valencia/SPA), Juan Roman Riquelme (Villarreal/SPA), Lionel Scaloni (West Ham/ENG), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid/SPA).

Forwards: Carlos Tevez (Corinthians/BRA), Hernan Crespo (Chelsea/ENG), Lionel Messi (Barcelona/SPA), Rodrigo Palacio (Boca Juniors/ARG), Javier Saviola (Sevilla/SPA), Julio Cruz (Inter/ITA),


================================


Ecuador:

Goalkeepers: Edwin Villafuerte (Deportivo Quito), Cristian Mora (LDU Quito), Damian Lanza (Aucas)

Defenders: Ivan Hurtado (not contracted), Geovanny Espinoza (LDU Quito), Paul Ambrossi (LDU Quito), Neicer Reasco (LDU Quito), Ulises de la Cruz (Aston Villa), Jorge Guagua (El Nacional), Jose Luis Perlaza (Olmedo)

Midfielders: Marlon Ayovi (Deportivo Quito), Edwin Tenorio (Barcelona), Edison Mendez (LDU Quito), Patricio Urrutia (LDU Quito), Cristian Lara (El Nacional), Segundo Castillo (El Nacional), Antonio Valencia (Recreativo), Luis Saritama (Deportivo Quito)

Forwards: Felix Borja (El Nacional), Christian Benitez (El Nacional), Ivan Kaviedes (Argentinos), Agustin Delgado (LDU Quito), Carlos Tenorio (Al Sadd)


===========================================


Paraguay:

Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Newell's), Derlis Gomez (Sportivo Luqueno), Aldo Bobadilla (Libertad)

Defenders: Denis Caniza (Cruz Azul), Carlos Gamarra (Palmeiras), Julio Cesar Caceres (River), Delio Toledo (Zaragoza), Jorge Nunez (Estudiantes), Julio Manzur (Santos), Paulo da Silva (Toluca)

Midfielders: Edgar Barreto (NEC), Roberto Acuna (Deportivo La Coruna), Carlos Paredes (Reggina), Julio dos Santos (Bayern Munich), Carlos Bonet (Libertad), Cristian Riveros (Libertad), Diego Gavilan (Newell's), Jose Montiel (Olimpia)

Forwards: Nelson Haedo Valdez (Werder Bremen), Roque Santa Cruz (Bayern Munich), Nelson Cuevas (Pachuca), Salvador Cabanas (Jaguares), Jose Cardozo (not contracted)



.

[perfectdark]

No surprises from Brazil, except maybe Ricardinho ...


Zanetti is not in Argentina's list. Has been confirmed this morning. :( I am in a really bad mood.



Argentina's list:

Arqueros
Roberto Abbondanzieri (Boca Juniors, Argentina)
Leonardo Franco (Atlético de Madrid, España)
Oscar Ustari (Independiente, Argentina).

Defensores
Fabricio Coloccini (Deportivo La Coruña, España)
Roberto Ayala (Valencia, España)
Gabriel Heinze (Manchester United, Inglaterra)
Juan Pablo Sorin (Villarreal, España)
Lionel Scaloni (West Ham United (Inglaterra)
Gabriel Milito (Zaragoza, España)
Nicolás Burdisso (Inter, Italia)
Leandro Cufré (Roma, Italia)

Mediocampistas
Esteban Cambiasso (Inter, Italia)
Javier Mascherano (Corinthians, Brasil)
Luis González (Porto, Portugal)
Martín Demichelis (Bayern Munich, Alemania)
Pablo Aimar (Valencia, España)
Juan Román Riquelme (Villarreal, España)
Maximiliano Rodríguez (Atlético de Madrid, España)

Delanteros
Carlos Tevez (Corinthians, Brasil)
Hernán Crespo (Chelsea, Inglaterra)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona, España)
Rodrigo Palacio (Boca Juniors, Argentina)
Javier Saviola (Sevilla, España)



Man, I dont really know what to say. I wish Pekerman the best in the WC but this is not even close to my dream team.

[Nelly]

Bye bye Argentinas hopes for a win...........that defensive pool is a fucking joke.

[perfectdark]

Bye bye Argentinas hopes for a win...........that defensive pool is a fucking joke.


I really do agree. This is a disaster.

[cavenaghi]

Good Lord! The keepers :eek: :eek: :eek:
Terrifying!
Costanzo was my favorite, but he wasn't really good this season.
If only we could produce good keepers like we're producing good n°10 :(

[malicia]

Is it something personal then? Zanetti's been playing solidly all season and he's only 32...that's prime defender age. He was flying up the wing during the Copa.

Pato in goal. :eek:

[Vip]

Demichelis is out of the list. He was even interviewed this morning by T&C and he was upset and even crying for missing out.

The speculation is that the last spot, replacing Demichelis, is either Cruz, AGUERO! or Duscher. :mad:



.

[Nelly]

Is the above list confirmed or speculation?

[Vip]

Bye bye Argentinas hopes for a win...........that defensive pool is a fucking joke.

With this team, Argenina beat Brazil in the WCQ 3-1.
Pato
Coloccini - Ayala - Heinze - Sorin
Lucho - Mascherano - Kily
Riquelme
Saviola - Crespo

Replace Kily with Cambiasso and Saviola with Tevez/Messi ... and in some games that require more risks, Lucho with Messi/Tevez and you have the probable starting 11 in the WC.


What most of you have to put in context is that Ayala and SPECIALLY Mascherano DOES give the back 4 the balance it needs. Since then, Mascherano hasn't played for the NT. This will be the time for the world of football to realize that Mascherano is a MONSTER. As important as Makelele is to Chelsea or was for Real Madrid. Mark my words. :cool:


I want Aguero in that list so bad. :o


PS: Nelly ... is speculation. The list will be given at 17:00 BS As time ... 16:00 EST ... 21:00 London time.


.

[perfectdark]

Pekerman made all the wrong choices. We dont need 8 defenders of which 4 are pretty much useless. Why not Aguero instead of Palacio ? Dont get me wrong Palacio has impressed me but not enough to go to a WC. Where is Cruz ? Who is going to replace Crespo ?

I thought we were done with experimenting new players. It seems we are not. Scaloni and Cufre dont have any international experience to speak of. I am waiing for Pekerman's explanations.


Wait....it is speculation ? WHy the hell did Lanacion post this then ??? And no Demechelis ? :| Wow, Scaloni and co are really UNTOUCHABLES.



Also Mascherano is still not playing with the same confidence he had before the injury which is understandable. In the WC he needs to give his all and hopefully he will perform like last year. Coloccini had a very bad year with no continuity at all. He was covered by Lucho. If we replace Lucho by Messi ( who does not defend) this will leave Coloccini EXPOSED. We saw what happened with Croatia.

[saurabh]

I only got Santana wrong, all the others are there!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Argentina are the CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some people had slated me for not including Zanetti when I had put up my probables list, but I was right. ;)

And I assure you people, Ayala will play as Right Back. :)

I am happy with the team selection. Very happy.

[malicia]

With this team, Argenina beat Brazil in the WCQ 3-1.


This will be the time for the world of football to realize that Mascherano is a MONSTER. As important as Makelele is to Chelsea or was for Real Madrid. Mark my words. :cool:

.

Heinze was with them. Hasn't played for months now. :(

WORD! Masche is incredible. His way of linking play is amazing. He's gotta keep the rough stuff in check though.

[Nelly]

I'm pretty much happy with Ayala and Sorin but Heinze cannot possibly be ready for such a campaign.Milito excepted,the rest of that defensive line up just aren't very good players imo.

The central spine of the team is strong enough but Robben and Aruna Dindane will wipe the floor with Coloccini or Scaloni (or Ayala lol) at RB.

[perfectdark]

Some people had slated me for not including Zanetti when I had put up my probables list, but I was right. ;)

And I assure you people, Ayala will play as Right Back. :)

I am happy with the team selection. Very happy.



.....Ayala as a RB ? Pekerman would have to be truly crazy to do that. In other words it is very possible that he does play as a RB :(

Why discard Demechelis ? Why do it in this last minute fashion? This really does hurt the player more than anything. Pekerman does not know wtf he is doing. We shouldnt be making last minute decisions like this. Who is going ot replace Mascherano ? Whatever. I am tired of complaining. :o

[Vip]

.....Ayala as a RB ? Pekerman would have to be truly crazy to do that. In other words it is very possible that he does play as a RB :(

Why discard Demechelis ? Why do it in this last minute fashion? This really does hurt the player more than anything. Pekerman does not know wtf he is doing. We shouldnt be making last minute decisions like this. Who is going ot replace Mascherano ? Whatever. I am tired of complaining. :o

Reporters that have spoken to Peker say that Peker sees Burdisso as the natural replacement for Ayala.

Sorin played as a double 5 more than a left back when they beat Brazil for WCQ. Heinze could move to the left and play Milito next to Ayala. Or even use Cufre on the left and leave Heinze in the center.

Demichelis is a good player, but the day we lost to Croatia and England, he doesn't come close to Mascherano. I insist that Masche is as important to the NT as Makelele is to Chelsea.

Nelly ... Robben and Aruna Dindane are not even a shadow of Dinho and Roberto Carlos. Sorry. :o


.

[Nelly]

Nelly ... Robben and Aruna Dindane are not even a shadow of Dinho and Roberto Carlos. Sorry. :o Neither are they particularly good left wingers.;)

btw......the Toulon under21 tournement,which is usually good quality,is on in 20mins - Argentina v Portugal.What sort of squad is being sent over? It's on stream if anyone is interested.

[perfectdark]

If Sorin would play as a double 5 then where does that leave Cambiasso ? :confused:

I have not seen Sorin win ONE challenge this season. His tackling has been pathetic and is hardly having his way offensively.

Pekerman is truly BIASED. No matter how well Zanetti played this season he would never take him. Coach bias is always bad.

[saurabh]

.....Ayala as a RB ? Pekerman would have to be truly crazy to do that. In other words it is very possible that he does play as a RB :(

Why discard Demechelis ? Why do it in this last minute fashion? This really does hurt the player more than anything. Pekerman does not know wtf he is doing. We shouldnt be making last minute decisions like this. Who is going ot replace Mascherano ? Whatever. I am tired of complaining. :o

I am not sure if you have ever seen Ayala play as Right Back. I have seen him play as RB and he is very very good. I like the defence very much :-

-------------Collocini-----Milito-----------
Ayala------------------------------Heinze

Also we have midfielders like Mascherano, Aimar, Riquelme, Lucho etc.
Strikers like Tevez, Crespo, Saviola, Messi.....

I think I am very very happy. We have all the ammunition needed to win the World Cup.

About Zanetti, he is very good going forward, but not very good at defending. I think we don't want our defenders to go forward too much. We may also play 3 CB and use Mascherano on the right. There are lot of options with this squad. If you think for some time, you will like it.

All you must do now, is look at the Argentine flag, if there is no Argentine flag near you then look at my sig and say "Vamos Albiceleste!!" and you feel good.

Argentine will win the World Cup 2006!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Vip]

If Sorin would play as a double 5 then where does that leave Cambiasso ? :confused:

I have not seen Sorin win ONE challenge this season. His tackling has been pathetic and is hardly having his way offensively.



I was referring to replace Masche in case he is injured/suspended. To play with Cambiasso and Sorin as double 5.



Breakin' news ... La Red just informed that Duscher got the call. He is not going. :D


It is between Cruz and Aguero now. :-O



.

[saurabh]

I'd prefer Aguero over Cruz. Neither of them will get a chance to play so why not give Aguero some experience of the WC atmosphere.

[perfectdark]

Zanetti not very good at defending ?? Have you even watched Inter this season. Have you seen him stop the likes of Ibrahimvic with precise challenges. Ibrahimovic is the kind of player that would tear Coloccini apart in a one on one situation. Zanetti is actually fast and catch up with pacey players and make complicated situations look simple.

Also Ayala is SLOW. His role is CB. Look at Holland and Ivory coast players. They will outpace our entire defense.


I dont know which to chose between Aguero and Cruz. I think Cruz should go. And Aguero ahead of Palacio....

[cavenaghi]

WTF is this? We know the players one by one?
Zanetti deseves clearly to go. He's a reference on the field and a real professional. And he would bring his huge experience to this young team. Stupid to keep him out.

[Vip]

Argentina's final list is out ... I have updated the 1st post of the thread too.


The final, no speculation or guessing, list ... from the mouth of Pekerman:

Goalkeepers: Roberto Abbondanzieri (Boca Juniors/ARG), Leonardo Franco (Atletico Madrid/SPA), Oscar Ustari (Independiente/ARG).

Defenders: Fabricio Coloccini (Dep. Coruna/SPA), Roberto Ayala (Valencia/SPA), Gabriel Heinze (Man. Utd/ENG), Juan Pablo Sorin (Villarreal/SPA), Gabriel Milito (Real Zaragoza/SPA), Nicolas Burdisso (Inter/ITA), Leandro Cufre (Roma/ITA).

Midfielders: Esteban Cambiasso (Inter/ITA), Javier Mascherano (Corinthians/BRA), Luis Gonzalez (Porto/POR), Pablo Aimar (Valencia/SPA), Juan Roman Riquelme (Villarreal/SPA), Lionel Scaloni (West Ham/ENG), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid/SPA).

Forwards: Carlos Tevez (Corinthians/BRA), Hernan Crespo (Chelsea/ENG), Lionel Messi (Barcelona/SPA), Rodrigo Palacio (Boca Juniors/ARG), Javier Saviola (Sevilla/SPA), Julio Cruz (Inter/ITA),

Note: He placed Scaloni as midfielder. It is live on FSE.



.

[perfectdark]

Cruz in. Good move. Predictable but good. Man i would have loved Aguero instead of Palacio. Poor Demechelis. He did not deserve to be treated that way. Did Pekerman comment on why Zanetti isnt on ? Why Cufre and Scaloni are suddenly the "core" of the team ? :p

Thanks for the update.

[malicia]

All I can say is that Pekerman and the Argentine media have been cruel beyond comparison. What an ev0l way to start your concentration for the WC. Playing with the hopes of the players and telling them one by one like that. I've definitely lost respect for Jose and wonder what kind of impact it will have. Just looking at him on FSE is making me :mad:

It must be a personal thing with Zanetti. Scaloni? Cufre? C'mon. Not even close. And WTF Heinze hasn't played in forever. He's so not match fit and there's no time. The rest seem like good or reasonable choices. Cruz is a back-up for Crespo. Aguero would not be.

[saurabh]

Scaloni was brilliant against Liverpool in the FA Cup final so I think I am happy for him. I liked what I saw. He helped a team as weak as West Ham reach the final, and end at good league position. He deserves credit.

[west501]

this I like
el 10 lo tiene román riquelme

[perfectdark]

ya Scaloni is great. Much better than Zanetti :rolleyes:

[west501]

football is the last reason zanetti isn't going..cos even if you don't start him he is an ideal sub or locker room guy..though I guess not in this case
the only thing I have against scaloni is that he took zanetti's place, but besides that it doesn't matter much since he's probably an 8th string defender and won't likely see the pitch from anywhere but the bench
thank god he took aimar

[perfectdark]

As a midfielder Scaloni's chances of playing are really slim. Especially if he plays on the right. But why did Pekerman take a player he had no use for ? What does Scaloni add to the team. I am looking at this from an objective point of view. I just want to understand Pekerman's choices.

Overall I am satisfied with the selection. Yes it could have been better, we could have had a better bench ( especially in the defense) and maybe added Aguero but other than that our starting 11 were not affected by this. The big loss is definely Zanetti.

[cavenaghi]

I have the reason: Peker remembers that Scaloni was the one who scored this unbelievable golazo against Brazil (who was scoring like 5 goals in each match) in QF of the U-20 World Cup in 1997 :D
What a goal though. And Cufre was in the team with Cambiasso, Aimar, Samuel, Riquelme... The man has memory. But dumb also (Zanetti :mad: ).

[west501]

franco
coloccini-ayala-heinze-sorín(c)
mascherano-cambiasso
messi-román(10)
crespo-tevez

that's pretty much gotta be the starting 11 for côte d'ivoire
though I wouldn't be surprised to see burdisso or cufré at right back now that that we don't have a natural right back (I will never stop btw..zanetti is one of my all time favourites)
and maybe maxi or lucho in for messi

[Vip]

As a midfielder Scaloni's chances of playing are really slim. Especially if he plays on the right. But why did Pekerman take a player he had no use for ? What does Scaloni add to the team. I am looking at this from an objective point of view. I just want to understand Pekerman's choices.

Overall I am satisfied with the selection. Yes it could have been better, we could have had a better bench ( especially in the defense) and maybe added Aguero but other than that our starting 11 were not affected by this. The big loss is definely Zanetti.


Scaloni is said to be the guy who always makes the jokes in the team. He has been part of the youth squads and know most of the players. He could be, along with Franco, 2 of the ones who "join" the team internally.

It also is due to a renovation process. Only 4 players where in WC02. It is a natural process according to Peker.

I feel sorry for Aguero too. If it was in my hands, I would take him eyes closed b4 Saviola or in a lesser extent, Palacio.


.

[chauchey]

The thing with Palacio vs Kun, is that although Kun has more talent, he hasnt played in big games. We know that they're going to be subs, so they're not going to play much. But when you do put them in, for the short time they are in, you want them to be solid in the situation. Palacio has put in a very good consistant effort this year, and has won 3 major trophies. Kun has had to play on a poor team, in a situation that is externally far different than the WC. And he's young. Can you even fathom playing on such a stage as the highest in the world, plus for Argentina? And being only 17?? Palacio all the way, considering they are subs anyway...

Kun will be there for years to come. Why not give him a chance to sucseed in 4 years, instead of a chance to fail this year?

[perfectdark]

Scaloni is said to be the guy who always makes the jokes in the team. He has been part of the youth squads and know most of the players.

.


Well thats a very good talent :D Seems like it was enough to send him to a WC :p


But seriously enough about the complaint. The squad is good, very good. I just want Coloccini to raise his level.

[west501]

I'm glad to see palacio in there..he's a solid player
very fast, quick thinker, cool head
he likely won't log many minutes..I see him coming in for tevez when we're up 2-0 on holland late in the game

[malicia]

But seriously enough about the complaint. The squad is good, very good. I just want Coloccini to raise his level.

Speaking of...am I the only one worried about Heinze's fitness? Everyone has him starting and he really hasn't played/been testing in aaaaages.

[Nelly]

Zanetti was left disappointed and said: "Nobody told me what I did wrong to not be in the World Cup squad.

"I'm calm because I think I did my best to be on the list and I've been always available for the national team when they needed me.

"We'll never know if I've been excluded because of football reasons or not." :(

[mosesmalone]

Ecuador

Goalkeepers: Edwin Villafuerte (Deportivo Quito), Cristian Mora (LDU Quito), Damian Lanza (Aucas)

Defenders: Ivan Hurtado (not contracted), Geovanny Espinoza (LDU Quito), Paul Ambrossi (LDU Quito), Neicer Reasco (LDU Quito), Ulises de la Cruz (Aston Villa), Jorge Guagua (El Nacional), Jose Luis Perlaza (Olmedo)

Midfielders: Marlon Ayovi (Deportivo Quito), Edwin Tenorio (Barcelona), Edison Mendez (LDU Quito), Patricio Urrutia (LDU Quito), Cristian Lara (El Nacional), Segundo Castillo (El Nacional), Antonio Valencia (Recreativo), Luis Saritama (Deportivo Quito)

Forwards: Felix Borja (El Nacional), Christian Benitez (El Nacional), Ivan Kaviedes (Argentinos), Agustin Delgado (LDU Quito), Carlos Tenorio (Al Sadd)

Paraguay

Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Newell's), Derlis Gomez (Sportivo Luqueno), Aldo Bobadilla (Libertad)

Defenders: Denis Caniza (Cruz Azul), Carlos Gamarra (Palmeiras), Julio Cesar Caceres (River), Delio Toledo (Zaragoza), Jorge Nunez (Estudiantes), Julio Manzur (Santos), Paulo da Silva (Toluca)

Midfielders: Edgar Barreto (NEC), Roberto Acuna (Deportivo La Coruna), Carlos Paredes (Reggina), Julio dos Santos (Bayern Munich), Carlos Bonet (Libertad), Cristian Riveros (Libertad), Diego Gavilan (Newell's), Jose Montiel (Olimpia)

Forwards: Nelson Haedo Valdez (Werder Bremen), Roque Santa Cruz (Bayern Munich), Nelson Cuevas (Pachuca), Salvador Cabanas (Jaguares), Jose Cardozo (not contracted)

------------------------------------------------

During the last World Cup more than half (57%) of the Brazilian team played domestically. This year, only two players, Rogerio Ceni and Ricardinho, still play in Brazil, both of which were on the last World Cup squad.

And yeah, it's good to know that Scaloni jokes with the team, because that's what he is on the field. :rolleyes:

When we initially found out about Scaloni I was going to say that Pekerman should take Duscher as well just to really screw things up, and now when I read the beginning of Vip's post a couple of pages back I nearly fell out of my chair. Whew. :)

[malicia]

[

Paraguay



Underrated and I say the surprise of the WC. I've watched a bunch of them play and they play well. Adios a England or Sweden. Hola Paraguay!



"We'll never know if I've been excluded because of football reasons or not." :(

That breaks my heart because he is an excellent player and I think it's not for football reasons...

[saurabh]

Speaking of...am I the only one worried about Heinze's fitness? Everyone has him starting and he really hasn't played/been testing in aaaaages.

Heinze is the best left back in the world. Period. Fit or Not Fit.

[Vip]

And yeah, it's good to know that Scaloni jokes with the team, because that's what he is on the field. :rolleyes:

When we initially found out about Scaloni I was going to say that Pekerman should take Duscher as well just to really screw things up, and now when I read the beginning of Vip's post a couple of pages back I nearly fell out of my chair. Whew. :)


It is an added thing to know from Scaloni. :D



.

[saurabh]

Demichelis was just about inconsolable after learning his fate and even admitted that he did not feel like living anymore.

"The coach gave me a phone call before announcing the list in Argentina," he told Estudio Futbol.

"I am out and with his decision, I feel that I don't want to play nor live anymore.

"Since I found out, I don't have the will to dedicate myself to football.

"Now I don't want to do anything else, I even don't want to travel anywhere."

SkySports

[tonymontagne]

Exactly. I also saw today on Telefe about Demichelis being completely distraught about being left out of the NT of Argentina. I know all of us as footie fans and most likely one time or present players knows what is the feeling like when you are left out of the main team. But I cant imagine being left out of the national team for the world cup. A teary eyed Demichelis might sound as a joke to some, but he has earned some respect from me as a football player and as a person for the feeling shown to the national team and the game.

[chauchey]

Thats rough. I feel so badly for him. :( Especially when you live eat and breathe for the chance to play on the biggest stage in the world, representing your country. Just breaks your heart. I remember being left off a team that i was clearly good enough to be on. they called me back up after about a month, but it wasnt the same. A bit of 'honeymoon' syndrom, or breaking up with your girlfriend...that 'love' just isnt there anymore. I dont know if its any different at the national level. I'm guessing it'll be slightly different for him. He's got another shot in 4 years doesnt he? or is he going to be too old?

[tonymontagne]

Demichelis is still considerably young, only 26, but 4 years in footie can be an eternity.

I've was left out of the reserve team from my team a few years back when I was young and I really felt it. But national team cannot be comparable unless you experience it I guess.