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Blanco is left out of Mexico squad
 Blanco has had frequent clashes with La Volpe during his career MEXICO CITY -- Mexico's gifted but volatile forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco will miss this summer's World Cup finals. He has been omitted from coach Ricardo La Volpe's provisional 26-man squad. But 37-year-old defender Claudio Suarez, who has won 174 caps, and veteran midfielder Jesus Arellano were surprise inclusions. La Volpe will have to reduce the party to 23 before the finals. Suarez's appearances under La Volpe have been restricted mainly to friendlies and the 2004 Copa America in Peru. The 32-year-old Arellano's presence had been in doubt after he played little part in Mexico's qualifying campaign. Blanco, as famous for his scintillating skill as his unpredictable temperament, is widely viewed as one of Mexico's most creative players ever and speculation about his exclusion had been a long-running saga. Perhaps best remembered for the outrageous "bunny-hopping" between defenders with the ball lodged between his ankles, Blanco played in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. However, since Blanco pulled out of Mexico's squad on the eve of last year's Confederations Cup, saying he needed a rest, La Volpe has picked him only once. Even before he became coach in 2002 there was speculation about La Volpe's relationship with the 33-year-old Blanco, as the pair had frequent clashes when they were on opposite sides in club games. Blanco was in excellent form in the second half of last year but became involved in a public slanging match with La Volpe, saying the coach did not have the courage to pick him. Loss of formBut a loss of form and injuries this year weakened his case. La Volpe has also been criticized in some quarters for his policy of picking naturalized players. The coach included two naturalized players -- striker Guillermo Franco, who was born in Argentina, and Brazilian-born midfielder Antonio Naelson -- in the squad. Naelson, who is fighting to be fit in time after undergoing knee surgery earlier this year, has been a regular under La Volpe while Franco made his debut against Guatemala last October. Mexico, who have never gone beyond the quarter-finals, were surprisingly chosen as one of the eight seeds for the finals and will play Portugal, Angola and Iran in Group D. They are seen as potential dark horses after beating Brazil at the Confederations Cup, although their form against European sides under La Volpe has been poor, with only two wins in eight outings. 
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