Diego Maradona says captain Javier Mascherano is the only player with a guaranteed spot on the Argentina roster in every match.
"Beside Mascherano, no one has a position assured, whatever his name may be," Maradona told Buenos Aires-based La Red radio on Thursday.
Mascherano, the Liverpool midfielder, debuted as Argentina captain on Wednesday in the 1-0 win over Scotland at Glasgow, also giving Maradona a win on debut as coach.
He chose Mascherano as captain when he took over, replacing Javier Zanetti.
Neither Lionel Messi nor Juan Roman Riquelme played against Scotland as requested by their clubs Barcelona and Boca Juniors.
While Maradona said the pair was a key part of his vision for a stronger national team, he made it clear they're not as necessary as Mascherano.
"I love Roman (Riquelme). I told him he's my player. And I told Messi, too. But it depends on how they adapt to what we're trying to do," Maradona said.
"Of course they've earned themselves a place on the national team, but we can't give away anything and we have to go with players that run and have the national team spirit."
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