Maradona has received backing from Argentina president to continue as the coach of Argentina. Argentina struggled to qualify for the tournament in South Africa after Maradona took over from previous coach Alfio Basile and their campaign came to an end with a 4-0 defeat to Germany in the last eight. Nevertheless, Grondona believes Maradona has been successful so far in difficult circumstances.

Argentina coach Diego Maradona named a 23-man squad on Wednesday ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, dropping seven players from the provisional list named last week.

Colon defender Ariel Garce, 30, keeps his place despite having won just one cap for the national team in this month's 4-0 World Cup warm-up win over Haiti.

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Diego Maradona's son, Diego Armando Maradona Jr, has said Argentina will show all of their supremacy at the World Cup.

He believes his father (pictured) will lead the Albiceleste to glory in South Africa despite a shaky quailifcation campaign. And, he has picked out Barcelona magician Lionel Messi as the one that will annoint his side with the World Cup crown.

"As a team and regarding potential, Argentina are the strongest national team in the world," he told Radio Marte.

"I am surprised that Esteban Cambiasso, Javier Zanetti, Walter Samuel and Diego Milito have not been called.