Buenos Aires, Jun 26 : Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez were confirmed in Argentina's 23-man squad for the Copa America by coach Sergio Batista on Saturday.Batista dropped three Argentina-based players from his provisional team to get down to the limit: Diego Valeri, Enzo Perez and Luciano Monzon.
The host team, Argentina opens play in the Copa America on Friday against Bolivia in La Plata, 60 kilometers (35 miles) southeast of Buenos Aires.Argentina is the favorite to win the South American championship, and also faces Colombia and Costa Rica in Group A.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Juan Pablo Carrizo (River Plate), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar). Defenders: Ezequiel Garay (Real Madrid), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Nicolas Burdisso (Roma), Gabriel Milito (Barcelona), Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan), Nicolas Pareja (Spartak Moscow), Marcos Rojo (Spartak Moscow).
Midfielders: Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Lucas Biglia (Anderlecht), Javier Pastore (Palermo), Ever Banega (Valencia), Fernando Gago (Real Madrid).
Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Atletico de Madrid), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Diego Milito (Inter Milan).AP
