Carlos Tevez knows ­exactly what it means to be part of the mad, bad world of Diego ­Maradona.

The Manchester City star may be one of the most lethal and hard working strikers in the Premier League but to the Argentina coach he's an also-ran, lucky to be in their World Cup party as a back-up option.

Tevez is determined to seize any opportunity that comes his way but accepts Maradona's bizarre ­man-­management skills and his preference for the attacking duo of Lionel Messi and ­Higuain.

Tevez said: “I never had any doubts that I'd be in the squad. The last time Diego visited me in England we talked about everything, and I kind of knew then that I would be in the final squad. We talked a lot about the tournament, about the facilities in South Africa and so on.

“Diego has said that Higuain and Messi will be the first-choice pair up front. I'm just hoping to show the coach what I can do and that he should be looking at me.

“We have a lot of great ­players, now we just have to use them to make a good team.

“It's wonderful and healthy to have so much competition, with great players like Messi and Higuain. It's not going to be easy for Diego making these decisions, it's going to be difficult.

“I will be trying to prove I should be playing. After that it will be down to Diego to ­decide who is best to deal with Nigeria.”

But Tevez does concede that it was disappointing to know that he was not one of the first choice strikers weeks before the tournament was due to start. He said: “That’s something that’s difficult to understand.

“It was awkward to see names being mentioned and my name was not there, so long before the first match.

“I don’t know if that’s good for the squad. I’m there to add what I can. I am not fighting with anyone!”

Tevez will switch roles of it helps him get a place in the Argentina line-up. He added: “I’ve adapted to many positions in the past under several different coaches. If necessary, I would gladly play as a defender – or even as a goalkeeper!”

Maradona’s multiple choice squad selections, erratic ­tactical approach and personal profile ensure the eyes of the world’s media will be on ­Argentina as they pursue their bid for glory in South Africa.

Tevez is relishing the ­challenge. He said: “This is going to be my World Cup. I feel that things are turning out the way I wanted. Things are going fine at Manchester City and I’ve joined the national team squad in great shape physically.”

The fact is that even Messi – the best player on the planet – has struggled to live up to that billing for his country.

He is not the only Argentina player who struggles to ­reproduce his club form when pulling on the sky blue and white striped shirt. Tevez ended: “Messi is the clearest example, as he plays one way for Barcelona and another for Argentina.

“It’s not easy to play for the national team.

“It is not the same thing playing for your club and playing for Argentina.

“Sometimes players do not feel comfortable with the national team because they have to play in other positions from the ones that they are used to for their clubs.”