With new Argentina Head Coach, Gerardo Martino suggesting that the door is still open for Carlos Tevez to return to play for La Albiceleste, photos this weekend in Italy of the Juventus striker with Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuaín have further fuelled speculation. It is understood that Martino wanted to discuss the matter of Tevez with captain Messi and vice-captain, Javier Mascherano before deciding whether to recall the controversial star. If Messi is as friendly with Tevez as the pictures suggest then Apache could return for the tour of China, where Argentina will face Brazil.

Tevez met with Messi in Milan as the players were enjoying the weekend’s Formula One in nearby Monza. The same reports suggest that the players had spoken on the telephone prior to this and there was a “good vibe”.

This is of course nothing other than speculation and the photographs themselves prove nothing. However, if indeed Tevez’s return does hinge on Messi and Mascherano informing Tata Martino that they have no problem then it could be significant.

Tevez was the leading scorer for Juventus last season as they eased to the Serie A title but missed out on Alejandro Sabella’s World Cup Squad. The 30-year-old striker has never reproduced his club form for country and with reports that he does not fit in with the squad, particularly Messi, it was no real surprise that Sabella opted not to select him.

Purely on footballing terms, Tevez is of course part of the Argentina squad and it is expected that he will prove this again in the coming season with Juventus.

In October, Argentina will travel to China to face Brazil and there is now talk that Tevez maybe included in this group. If Martino can find a way of integrating El Apache back into the group it would be a significant boost to Argentina.