Gabriel Heinze profile

Gabriel Heinze could play a major role for Argentina at this summer's World Cup finals, despite the dynamic left back having only just recovered from serious injury.

In what could be seen as a gamble on the part of coach Jose Pekerman, Argentina called up the Manchester United star, who has not played since suffering a knee ligament injury against Villarreal last September.

"He has got stuck in straight away as if he's never been away and I think that's terrific to see."
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson

Heinze did not feature for the United first team at the tail end of the last campaign, despite making his return to the matchday 16 against Sunderland in April. Nevertheless Pekerman has been sufficiently convinced by his appearances for the The Red Devils' reserve team to take him to Germany.

The Argentine's approach to the game has drawn comparisons with former England defender Stuart Pearce.

All-action displays coupled with his tough-tackling style have quickly endeared him to the United support, who voted him their player of the season in his debut campaign on English soil.

And Ferguson admitted his side had badly missed the defender's leadership and experience in his eight-month absence.

International commitments delayed him making an impact at United but he signalled his intent with a debut goal at Bolton and his versatility - he can also operate as a centre back - has been a major plus for club and country.

He joined the Old Trafford outfit from Paris Saint Germain for a fee of almost £7 million in August 2004 after the former Newell's Old Boys graduate had spells with Valladolid and a brief loan stay at Sporting Lisbon.

Born to a German father and an Italian mother, Heinze's cosmopolitan make-up is accentuated by his ability to speak Welsh. Hailing from Patagonia, a region inhabited by Welsh settlers in the 19th Century, the bilingual star will hope his injury problems are now a thing of the past.