Tevez dropped by Batista

Carlos Tevez has been dropped from Argentina’s squad for a glamour game against Portugal next month, despite Sergio Batista already having to make do without injured Real Madrid star Gonzalo Higuain.

The City captain is paying the price for boss Sergio Batista wanting to try Lionel Messi as the central striker in a 4-3-3 formation.

“Lionel doesn’t need to win a World Cup to prove that he’s the best player in the world,” said Batista., “We’re looking at one of the best players ever. We have to build a team around him.”

It is speculated that Tevez’s closeness to former boss Diego Maradona could be a factor in the surprise decision, but Batista left the door open for a return.

“Neither Tevez nor any of the lads who were left off this list are out of the national team,” he said, “It’s just a matter that I want to see other players. I wish to have 20 games before the Copa America, but I don’t, so I have to take each chance.”

Maradona’s son in law Sergio Aguero is another omitted, along with veteran defenders Gabriel Heinze and Martin Demichelis.