The relationship between country and player has been strained since ‘Carlitos’ dropped out of a November friendly clash with Brazil, only to play for his club days later. He and fellow Brazil absentee Sergio Aguero were left out for last month’s game against Portugal, and have also failed to make the cut for this month’s games versus United Staes and Costa Rica.
However, going back on former assertions that the forward was being punished, Grondona announced on Tuesday that coach Sergio Batista’s decision to leave the ex-Boca Juniors star out of the team was motivated by a wish to try other players and not a punishment.
“The previous conflict over him not being called up is resolved. Tevez is playing in a position where there are a lot of players and the coach is looking at everybody to make his decision. Batista is doing the right thing,” the AFA president told Radio del Plata. The undisputed chief of Argentine football went on to affirm that if it were up to him, ‘Carlitos’ would be a definite inclusion for the Copa America.
“I hope to God that Tevez is in the Copa America. He is a kid who I have known for years, and who has played in all the national team categories. How I am not going to want him there?”
In the ‘Apache’s absence, Eduardo Salvio of Benfica and Aguila team-mate Nicolas Gaitan could get the chance to shine, while Lionel Messi and Napoli’s Ezequiel Lavezzi are almost certain to start against the States in New York on March 26.
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Julio Grondona: I Want Carlos Tevez In The Argentina Team