Argentina have a vast array of attacking talent going into this summer's World Cup, so much so that the likes of Juventus' Paulo Dybala and Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi are set to miss out on a place in Jorge Sampaoli's squad.
With Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi assured of a spot on the plane to Russia it means that one or both of Icardi and Dybala will probably miss out on the summer showpiece.
Icardi has been in great form for the Nerazzurri, scoring 28 goals in Serie A this season and Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, former Argentina international Hernan Crespo believes that the Sampaoli should pick the striker in his 23-man squad:
Inside the penalty area, Icardi has no equal on a global scale. When a cross arrives, he is deadly. If you want to build moves with central passing, then Gonzalo Higuain or Sergio Aguero are more suited, but if you do like Inter with tons of crosses flung into the box, where are you going to get anyone better than Icardi?
Crespo went on to put Icardi as the third best player in the world behind Messi and Ronaldo, lauding the 25-year-old's physicality, heading prowess and his ability to shoot with both feet.
The 42-year-old put down Icardi's possible World Cup exclusion to Lionel Messi, stating that the fact that he is not close with the Barcelona star as the reason he is only on the fringes of the team:
As far as I can see, it’s because he is no friend of Messi, or am I wrong? My beloved Seleccion is now built around a magic circle, understand? Icardi is not in that circle and therefore, unfortunately, won’t go to the World Cup in Russia.
I believe this is a terrible mistake. Argentina really need a striker like him.
