Rulli delighted with Argentina call-up

Real Sociedad goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli has admitted that he is lost for words after being named in the Argentina squad for the first time.

The 22-year-old only joined the Basques from Estudiantes last summer as a replacement for Barcelona-bound Claudio Bravo but has quickly established himself as their No 1, thus earning Tata Martino’s call for the Albiceleste’s matches against El Salvador and Ecuador later this month.

“I’m enormously happy. When you start playing football, you always imagine [one day] representing your country,” he told Mundo Deportivo.

“It’s a type of happiness I can’t describe. It’s something I can’t quite believe. I’m waiting for the big day, when I can wear the colours of my country.

“It’s an honour for my family and I because I didn’t expect it. It makes me value everything [in my life] a little more.

“You dream about [representing your country], but realising the dream is very difficult. There are great players, who are making history with their clubs yet have no place in their [national] teams.

“Sharing a team with [Lionel] Messi, [Angel] Di Maria, [Sergio] Aguero, [Gonzalo] Higuain or [Javier] Mascherano, all of whom play for elite clubs… it’s hard to explain.

“At 22, playing for my national team is unthinkable. If you do well for your team, you have a better chance [of playing for your country].

“I thank Real for giving me this opportunity and allowing me to continue growing [as a player].

“I can’t find the words to thank the fans for the affection they’ve shown me and making ​​me feel comfortable from the start.”

Argentina squad in full: Guzman (Tigres), Romero (Sampdoria), Rulli (Real Sociedad); Garay (Zenit St Petersburg), Zabaleta (Manchester City), Rojo (Manchester United), Roncaglia (Genoa), Musacchio (Villarreal), Orban, Otamendi (both Valencia); Mascherano (Barcelona), Pastore (Paris Saint-Germain), Di Maria (Manchester United), Biglia (Lazio), Pereyra (Juventus), Banega (Sevilla), Perez (Valencia); Messi (Barcelona), Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain), Aguero (Manchester City), Higuain (Napoli), Tevez (Juventus).

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