Argentina have reached three major finals in three years but the team who came so close to winning the 2014 World Cup face crunch games against Peru and Ecuador that will determine if they miss out on the global showpiece event for the first time since 1970.
A decision to include Japan and Qatar as the invited sides to this year's Copa has also done little to generate faith in the new leadership, with the tournament usually featuring the 10 South American nations plus two invited teams, although they are generally from elsewhere in the Americas.
Sporting world lost some of its favourite stars this year.
Maradona was a uniquely gifted player who rose from the tough streets of Buenos Aires to reach the pinnacle of his sport.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Major world record deals are here.
A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Monday.
The autopsy, which was based on blood and urine samples and released by the Buenos Aires Scientific Police, said Maradona had problems with his kidneys, heart and lungs.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field.
Diego Simeone may not have the stomach to reinvent Atletico Madrid again after they suffered another morale-shattering loss to Real Madrid in Saturday's Champions League final.
Juan Roman Riquelme, the supremely talented and sometimes controversial former Boca Juniors and Argentina playmaker, has retired from soccer.
This and more from the happenings in the world of football
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Carlos Tevez has been included in the squad for the first time in three years for next month's friendlies in England against Croatia and Portugal.
AC Milan youth players subjected to alleged racist abuse; Argentine fan punches player.
River Plate could face a Monumental Stadium ban after a fan threw a piece of wood and hit Godoy Cruz defender Leandro Grimi as he celebrated scoring the equaliser in his team's 2-1 upset win on Wednesday.
A leak of 11.5 million tax documents has revealed how the rich and powerful use tax havens to hide their wealth.
Juventus defeated second-placed Lazio 2-0 at home on Saturday to take another huge step towards their fourth straight Serie A title and boost their confidence for Wednesday's crunch Champions League clash in Monaco.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Summary of the South American World Cup qualifiers played on Thursday
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
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