A dynamic midfielder known for his powerful running and eye for goal, Maxi Rodriguez has brought all those qualities to bear for Argentina’s youth and senior teams and in the highly competitive Spanish and English top flights.

Starting his career at Newell’s Old Boys in 1999, he moved to Espanyol three years later. It was in Spain that he enjoyed the best years of his career to date, performing with distinction at Atletico Madrid, where he also sported the captain’s armband. Having fallen out of favour, however, he joined Liverpool at the start of the year, a switch brought about by his desire for regular first-team football in the build-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

Maxi has enjoyed many years of international service. He was a member of Jose Pekerman’s squad at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2001, appearing in all seven games and scoring four goals to help the host nation claim the title.

Appointed national coach, Pekerman then selected him for the FIFA Confederations Cup Germany 2005 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany. Maxi played in all five of La Albiceleste’s games in the world finals and scored the winner in the Round of 16 tie against Mexico, a spectacular left-foot volley following a superb piece of control. The strike was widely regarded as the goal of the tournament.

The midfielder featured in eight of Argentina’s qualifying matches for South Africa 2010, scoring once in the 4-0 defeat of Venezuela in March 2009, Diego Maradona’s official debut as national coach.