Arca eyes Argentina call (26 Mar 2007 10:15 GMT)
Middlesbrough midfielder Julio Arca has not given up on his dream of playing senior international football for Argentina.
The 26-year-old was part of the side which won the World Youth Championships at under-20s level in 2001 and seemed destined to go on to bigger things.
Six years on, he is still to win a first full cap, but that is something which remains a burning ambition.
He said: "It is a big ambition that I think every footballer has. To play for your national team, you do not get many honours bigger than that in football.
"It is different to playing club football - but you have to remember it is they who give you the chance to be selected at the highest level in the first place.
"At the moment, I have not had the chance, but I will keep waiting and maybe one day, it will happen.
"But the best thing for me is to keep working as hard as possible and try to give my best for Middlesbrough."
Arca was called up by former Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa for the warm-up games ahead of the 2004 Olympics during his time at Sunderland.
However, with the Black Cats engaged in a promotion fight, he decided to stay on Wearside and play his part.
His country went all the way in Athens to claim the gold medal, and he has been overlooked since.
Arca finally cut his ties with Sunderland last summer when their relegation to the Coca-Cola Championship prompted Boro to make a successful ?1.75million move for him.
His form since has been excellent, particularly in the central midfield role he has occupied in recent months, and the player is hopeful a continued run of good performances will bring him to the attention of current national boss Alfio Basile.
He told the club's official website, www.mfc.co.uk: "There are plenty of excellent footballers there at the moment.
"They are great technically and have been around a lot of countries. Even the younger members of the squad have good experience in Europe.
"But as a player, I will never lose my hopes, and one day I hope to get that phone call."
Arca is sidelined for at least two weeks after a scan revealed a tear in his groin.
He missed last weekend's 2-0 Barclays Premiership defeat by Manchester City after complaining of discomfort, and although he returned to the starting line-up for Monday night's FA Cup quarter-final replay at Manchester United, he did not last the full 90 minutes.
Tests confirmed the damage, and although Boro do not play again until they visit West Ham next Saturday, that may come too soon for him.
source : sportinglife