New Argentina coach Diego Maradona has confirmed he wants Javier Mascherano to captain the team.
Reds star set for Argentine honour
New Argentina coach Diego Maradona has confirmed he wants Liverpool's Javier Mascherano to captain the country.
Argentine legend Maradona was handed his country's top job on Tuesday following the departure of Alfio Basile last month.
The former World Cup winner's first game in charge will the be the friendly with Scotland and he is keen to appoint Reds midfielder Mascherano as a long-term successor to current captain Javier Zanetti.
"I want Mascherano to be my captain because I believe he is the Argentinian player who is closest to the idea I have about the Argentinian shirt - sweat for it, sacrifice for it, being a professional, being close to the team-mate," said Maradona.
"I will convince him. He will be my captain."
Mascherano has been joined in Maradona's first squad by Newcastle duo Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Gutierrez and Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez.
However, there is no place in the squad for Inter Milan midfielder Esteban Cambiasso or Getafe goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri.
