Mascherano Accepts Captain's Armband

Argentina's new captain will be Javier Mascherano after all. The player had expressed some reservations about taking on the role when it was revealed last week that new coach national team coach Diego Maradona wanted him as the skipper.

Mascherano felt that he was not quite ready for the role just yet but seems to be singing a different tune as Maradona's persuasive charms seem to have worked their magic.

"I've convinced him," Maradona told Radio La Red. "I explained to him what I thought about him and told him what I thought he could give the team. He can transmit much of what he does in the centre of the pitch - we're not asking him to be a leader immediately."

Argentina's form in World Cup Qualifying has been patchy at best so far, and Maradona has moved quickly to change the mentality of the team. One of his first actions as coach was to decide to replace veteran Javier Zanetti as skipper. It will be interesting to see what other decisions are made in the wake of Maradona's visit to Europe last week to speak with senior players.

Zack Wilson, Goal.com