Can Argentina Soccer Team Handle the Pressure of Soccer Worldcup 2010?

The history of Argentina's Soccer Worldcup performances indicates noteworthy results. 1970 marks the only year in which they did not qualify.  They missed three Soccer Worldcups, as a result of political matters; however from 1974 they have been in all Soccer Worldcup events and in 2002 saw their first and only knock out in the first round.

As the 1978 Argentina Worldcup and the 1986 FIFA Worldcup Mexico winners, La Albiceleste faced a succession of testing 2010 world soccer qualifying matches.  However having prevailed multiple issues, the Argentine soccer team are focused on claiming the World Football Cup 2010 for the first time in 24 years. Fortunately this goal may well become a reality as coach, Diego Armando Maradona, has superior players in his team (including some players responsible for the team's quarter finals game at the Germany 2006 World Cup).

The Champion Soccer Worldcup Players

The Argentina soccer team is home to one of the world's top-quality soccer players, Lionel Messi.  Consequently it's not surprising that they're relying a great deal on him to point them to victory at the South Africa Worldcup 2010.

Supporting him in midfield is their captain and inspiration, Javier Mascherano.  Let's also not disregard Juan Sebastian Veron, who not only has valuable experience, but also has a point to make after receiving critique during Argentina's poor performance at the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup. Lionel Messi has the most appearances in Soccer Wordcup matches, having played 18 games.  The top goal scorers are Sergio Agüero, Lionel Messi and Juan Román Riquelme.

Argentina's Coach

Diego Maradona was born in Lanus, Argentina on October 30, 1960 and is respected as one of the world's unsurpassed footballer's, alongside Pelé of Brazil.  He's now charged with conveying his talent, experience and brilliance as a player to the Soccer Worldcup team he now leads.

Maradona is known as a cutthroat, spontaneous and no-fluff type of man.  As a player, he was nothing short of incredible.  He climbed through the ranks with his ultimate moment being at Napoli in 1984.

However, in 1991 an ongoing drug addiction led him to a 15 month prohibition.  Later at the 1994 Soccer Worldcup he was discharged due to positive testing for a banned substance.  As a consequence of his addiction problems he endured serious health issues in 2004 and 2007.

After a nine year sabbatical, it came as a surprise when he was appointed as the successor to Alfio Basile, who was dismissed due to non-satisfactory performance.  Yet, thus far Maradona hasn't fared much better, with speculation of his substitution.  With South Africa Worldcup 2010 coming up, he has some catching up to play.

Argentina FIFA Soccer Worldcup Successes

• As a whole the Argentine soccer team has played four FIFA World Cup Finals. In 1978 they beat Netherlands and in 1986 Germany.  But they were defeated by Uruguay in 1930 and by Germany in 1990.
• The South Africa Worldcup 2010 is Argentina's 20th Soccer Worldcup appearance and their tenth successive appearance.
• Diego Maradona played in four succeeding finals between 1982 and 1994 and now leads the team to the South Africa Worldcup 2010 in his first appearance as a coach.