Argentina name top squad for Australia friendly

Argentina forward Lionel Messi, seen here in July 2007, will travel to Australia next month for a friendly with Australia. Football Federation Australia (FFA) said Argentina's top European-based stars will make the long trip for the September 11 match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Argentina's top European-based stars will travel Down Under next month for a friendly with the Socceroos, Football Federation Australia (FFA) said Tuesday.

Even though Europe's leagues are in full swing, FFA said players such as Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Manchester United's Carlos Tevez and Liverpool's Javier Mascherano would make the long trip to Australia.

The September 11 match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was originally scheduled for June 6 but the Argentinian Football Federation requested a delay so it could include more European players on its squad.

FFA chief executive Ben Buckley said it would be worth the wait.

"Argentina are bringing down some of the greats of world football," Buckley said.

"It will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Australian sports fans to see some of the worlds best in action against our own Socceroos.

"The strength of their squad reflects how important the match is to them -- like the Socceroos, they are about to start the qualifying process for the 2010 World Cup and will be using this as vital preparation."

Australia will name its squad on Thursday.

Argentina squad for friendly against Australia in Melbourne on September 11:

Roberto Abbondanzieri (Getafe), Oscar Ustari (Getafe), Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Gabriel Heinze (Real Madrid), Daniel Diaz (Getafe), Gabriel Milito (Barcelona), Fabricio Coloccini (Deportivo La Coruna), Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan), Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan), Fernando Gago (Real Madrid), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Jonas Gutierrez (Mallorca), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Federico Insua (America, Mexico), Cristian Ledesma (Olympiakos), Maxi Rodriguez (Althletico Madrid), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Javier Saviola (Real Madrid), Hernan Crespo (Inter Milan), Carlos Tevez (Manchester United), Lionel Messi (Barcelona).