Argentina coach Gerardo Martino has suggested that forward Carlos Tévez, not selected at all in three years under his predecessor Alejandro Sabella, could be in line for a recall.
Tévez was left out of the Argentina squad named on Monday for next month’s friendlies against Brazil and Hong Kong but Martino praised the Juventus forward in an interview and left the door open for a return.
«Tévez doesn’t talk a lot but says a lot on the pitch. He is performing well regularly and he is a player who has a lot in common with the Argentina team,» said Martino.
«We’ll see when it’s convenient to call him up.»
Tévez played at the 2010 World Cup but was sidelined after Sabella took over the following year.
Martino refuted reports that he had discussed Tévez with any of his players before last month’s friendly in Germany, which Argentina won 4-2.
«Supposedly, I had a meeting with the players about the matter of Carlos Tévez,» he said.
«There was never any type of meeting in Germany, or anywhere else, or any sort of conversation with a high-ranking player in the national team.»
«In every process, and in every World Cup, there is always a player who everyone is talking about,» he added.
«I remember that in 1978 that it was JJ (Juan Jose) Lopez, now it’s Carlos» he added referring to the midfielder who was excluded from the squad in favour of Osvaldo Ardiles despite being hugely popular among the public. Ardiles went on to become a key player in the team which won the 1978 World Cup.
Tévez helped Juventus win Serie A last season and has scored four goals in as many matches in all competitions this season.
buenosairesherald.com