This is the expected Argentine starting XI against Spain for the international friendly to be played on the 7th September 2010 in the Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires. Javier Mascherano will be captain.

I am surprised that Zanetti did not resign from international football after being not included in World Cup squad. Is the new manager a mate of his?

Well, Zanetti's not as much of a primadonna as some players, who might well have acted that way.

The current (caretaker) manager, Sergio Batista, isn't especially a mate of his, but then nor am I, and I'd pick him. He hasn't got some stupid personal issue with Pupi though, which Maradona apparently did have.

I wasn't suggesting that the manager is playing him because he's a friend. The other way round, he accepted to play because the manager is a mate. After all, given his age, no one would have blamed him if he had cold feet about the national team.

Congrats for the win, btw. Impressive scoreline.

It was brilliant to be there, and thanks for the congratulations, although I'm English myself!

I think Zanetti will keep playing until he physically can't to be honest. He was running like a twenty-year-old throughout last season, his fitness levels are amazing. Good performance from everyone else as well yesterday!