Player profile

The highly-rated attacking midfielder was the only uncapped player named in Diego Maradona’s squad, though he subsequently made his debut in the 5-0 win against Canada. He looks the most likely deputy for Juan Veron in South Africa, though he could also play on either flank.

He enjoyed an impressive first season with Palermo, who only just missed out on a Champions League spot, but despite catching the eye of several top European sides he wants to stay in Sicily.

The elegant midfielder has been compared to Brazil star Kaka, but Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini, no doubt mindful of Pastore’s resale value, says the Argentine is a better player technically. He is almost 6ft 2in (1.87m) tall, an unusual build for an Argentine number 10. He played basketball until the age of nine, when his PE teacher recommended he try his luck at football, arranging a trial at local club Talleres.

He made his senior debut in the Argentine second division, but moved on loan to top-flight Huracan for the 2008/09 season after a joint ownership deal was agreed. His eye-catching performances for Huracan saw him snapped up by Palermo last summer.