Football
ESPN staff 10y

Argentina clears path for Carlos Tevez return

Argentina Football Federation vice president Juan Carlos Crespi on Monday confirmed that the federation is making visa arrangements so that Juventus striker Carlos Tevez can be included in the call-up for two upcoming friendlies this month against Brazil.

Argentine coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino hinted last week that he is likely to include Tevez, who has been absent from the Albiceleste for the past three years.

Argentina, runners-up at the the 2014 World Cup after a 1-0 defeat to Germany in the final, have two upcoming friendlies against Brazil on Oct. 11 and 14 in China and Hong Kong, respectively.

Crespi said no official recall has been made and added that Tevez's visa approval will not necessarily mean he will be included on the team. According to Argentine daily Clarin, Martino already has a list of 35 players and will trim to 25 this week.

Martino also told ESPN Radio on Monday that while no one in the Argentine camp had spoken to him directly about Carlos Tevez, it was clear that the players would welcome the Juve striker back into the Albiceleste setup.

"In Germany [at Argentina's recent friendly] I was able to corroborate what Messi and Mascherano told me in Barcelona about how good the team was together -- solid and well functioning."

"We never discussed a situation in which we as a group would discuss the Tevez case. I asked in general on the first day if there were any problems with any player in particular and they told me no.

"We need to take advantage of this period of friendlies to play better and also to take a look at new players who have had good performances but have not had the opportunities."

Tevez has not represented Argentina since July of 2011 when he missed a decisive penalty in a shootout that Uruguay won 5-4 on penalties to reach the last four of the Copa America. Alejandro Sabella, who took over the reins of the Albiceleste after that tournament, resigned his post after the World Cup, with Martino his successor.

Tevez led Juventus last season to the Italian league title as the team and Serie A top scorer with 19 goals. On Saturday, Tevez's fourth goal in three matches helped Juventus win 1-0 at AC Milan on Saturday in the first high-profile matchup of the Serie A.  He also scored in a 2-0 win over Udinese last weekend, then produced both goals in a 2-0 victory over Malmo in the Champions League last Tuesday.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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