Maxi Rodriguez was handed a surprise call-up to Diego Maradona’s Argentina squad.
The 29-year-old midfielder had been out of favour with the national team but his form for Liverpool following his move from Atletico Madrid on a free transfer in January put him back into contention.
Rodriguez impressed Maradona during a two-week training camp and scored twice as they defeated Canada 5-0 in their final warm-up match in Buenos Aires.
Maradona will be hoping Rodriguez can repeat the heroics he produced in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
He famously settled their second round match with Mexico with a moment of breathtaking individual brilliance.
Rodriguez controlled a cross-field pass from Juan Pablo Sorin on his chest before unleashing an unstoppable left-footed volley into the top corner from outside the penalty area.
It was voted FIFA’s goal of the tournament and Argentinean sports daily Olé described it as “a goal worthy of Maradona”.
Born in Rosario, Argentina, Rodriguez began his career at Newell’s Old Boys and broke into their first team when he was just 18. It was while in the youth ranks at his local club that he earned the nickname ‘La Fiera’ (The Beast) which has stayed with him throughout his career.
He explained: “It was a nickname that I got when I was seven or eight. A coach said that when I went out on to the pitch I used to run about like mad, from side to side, all over the place. He said I was like a ‘fiera’ and the nickname has stuck.”
His World Cup call-up came as no surprise to Reds teammates Fernando Torres and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard.
“Maxi is a fantastic player,” said Gerrard.
“He’s got good movement and as a footballer it’s a pleasure to play with good players and that’s what Maxi is. He is a fantastic player. He is an intelligent player and he can unlock defences.”
Torres added: “Maxi is the kind of player that is always up to the challenge. The more his team needs him, the more he offers.
“Maxi is hungry and when you have his hunger you can achieve anything.”
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