Argentina leave out Zanetti from World Cup squad

BUENOS AIRES, May 15 (Reuters) Former captain Javier Zanetti was left out of Argentina's World Cup squad today while Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze, who has been out all season with a knee injury, was included.

Coach Jose Pekerman also selected Valencia playmaker Pablo Aimar, who recently suffered an ankle sprain followed by a bout of viral meningitis, and forward Javier Saviola, who has re-discovered his best form with Sevilla this season after two years of uncertainty.

Teenager Oscar Ustari, 19, was included as the third-choice goalkeeper but there was no place for his club mate, 17-year-old forward Sergio Aguero, regarded as one of Argentina's most exciting prospects.

Argentina, who fell at the first hurdle four years ago, face Ivory Coast, Netherlands and Serbia&Montenegro in their first round group.

Squad: Goalkeepers: Roberto Abbondanzieri (Boca Juniors), Leonardo Franco (Atletico Madrid), Oscar Ustari (Independiente) Defenders: Fabricio Coloccini (Deportivo Coruna), Roberto Ayala (Valencia), Gabriel Heinze (Manchester United), Juan Pablo Sorin (Villarreal), Gabriel Milito (Real Zaragoza), Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan), Leandro Cufre (AS Roma) Midfielders: Lionel Scaloni (West Ham United), Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan), Javier Mascherano (Corinthians), Luis Gonzalez (Porto), Pablo Aimar (Valencia), Juan Roman Riquelme (Villarreal), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid) Forwards: Carlos Tevez (Corinthians), Hernan Crespo (Chelsea), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Rodrigo Palacio (Boca Juniors), Javier Saviola (Sevilla), Julio Cruz (Inter Milan) REUTERS PG PM0316