The 20 Greatest Argentine Players of All Time

Argentina has produced the greatest players to ever win the World Cup three times, including in 2022.

The South American nation has become synonymous with pure love and unforgettable football moments, driving them to countless trophies.

Below are the greatest Argentine footballers of all time ranked by statistics, trophies and impact at club and international level.

10

Javier Mascherano

Career: 2003-2020

He may not be the most prominent name on this list, but Javier Mascherano is one of the most underrated players in Argentina’s recent history, with his influence allowing the attacking players in front of him to flourish.

The midfielder, who was a product of the River Plate academy, earned the nickname ‘El Jefecito’, meaning the little king, following his impressive performances in midfield.

He enjoyed a successful career in the Premier League, featuring the likes of West Ham United and Liverpool, racking up 99 appearances in England’s top flight before moving to Barcelona in 2010 – switching to centre-half, showing his versatility.

However, his country stood out, as Mascherano played 147 games, he even played in the World Cup finals in 2014, where Argentina lost 1-0 to Germany.

9

Angel Di Maria

Career: 2005-present

A player whose career has undoubtedly been overshadowed by another Argentinian player in his place is winger Angel Di Maria.

The Real Madrid star has enjoyed a twelve-year professional career, achieving the unimaginable following his debut at home club Rosario Central in 2005.

He scored in the 2014 Champions League final against Madrid’s rivals Atletico, winning one of his club’s 36 trophies during his spell across Europe.

Internationally, he was equally successful, amassing 145 caps for his nation, scoring 31 times – including winning the World Cup in 2022 – forever embedded in Argentina’s history.

8

Javier Zanetti

Career: 1992-2014

Continuing the trend of underclassmen brings us to defender Javier Zanetti, whose long career solidifies him on this list.

The right-back has been almost a one-club man throughout his career, playing 858 times for Italian giants Inter Milan following his move from hometown club Tallares in 1995.

Zanetti captained the Inter team from 2001 until he retired in 2014 at the age of 40 – an age to still be playing top-level football. Zanetti will always be known for captaining the team and playing a pivotal role in Inter’s historic treble-winning season in 2009/10 under José Mourinho.

The Argentine’s leadership and versatility have played a major role in his successful career, often playing in midfield and left back alongside his natural role on the right.

His international career was equally successful, reaching 144 caps for Argentina between 1994 and 2011, the third most in the country’s history before his international retirement.

7

Omar Sivori

Career period: 1954-1969

Not many football fans today will have heard of his qualities, but Omar Sivori paved the way for the likes of Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona to excel with their dribbling skills, with Sivori the first Argentinian player to display speed and tricks in the attacking third.

Like Mascherano, he was a product of the River Plate academy, and took little time to introduce himself to the world, bursting onto the world stage at the South American Championships in 1957 as part of a deadly trio nicknamed the Trio of Death that also featured Humberto Maschio and Valentin Angellilo.

Because of his performances in this tournament, Sivori moved to Italy, joining Juventus for £90,000, which at the time was a world record fee.

He would finish his career with 180 goals in 326 games, an average of one goal every two games, making him one of the most underrated talents in the country.

6

Juan Roman Riquelme

Career: 1996-2015

Juan Roman Riquelme, today’s Maradona.

A player who never fully showed his talents in Europe, spending most of his 19 years playing in Argentina, joining the likes of Boca Juniors and Argentinos Juniors.

However, he enjoyed a five-year spell in Spain with Barcelona and Villarreal, with his best form in La Liga coming in the latter.

Riquelme managed to score 36 goals in 106 games for the Yellow Submarines, as he helped the club to third place in La Liga and reach the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time in its history.

He enjoyed a successful international career in Argentina, featuring 51 times scoring 17 and assisting 20 before retiring after international football back in 2008.

5

Daniel Passarella

Career: 1971-1989

Daniel Passarella will always be regarded as one of the best defenders in football history, due to his impact at both ends of the pitch.

He led Argentina to their first World Cup as captain in 1978, before being part of the team that won the tournament again in 1986 – making him the only nation in history to have won the trophy twice.

He spent most of his career at River Plate, before six years in Italy playing for Fiorentina and Inter Milan, before retiring from his beloved River of Silver in 1989.

Passarella, who was only 5ft 8, short for a defender, scored an incredible 143 goals throughout his career, an unheard of number for a defender, including 20 for his country during his 10-year spell for his nation.

4

Gabriel Batistuta

Career: 1988-2004

Following an impressive record of 56 goals in 78 games, striker Gabriel Batistuta was Argentina’s top scorer until he was overtaken by the inevitable Messi in 2016.

He enjoyed a decorated international career with his nation, winning the Copa América twice, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer in 1991 and getting on the scoresheet in a 2-1 win over Mexico in 1993.

Batistuta represented his country in three World Cups, and enjoyed an impressive club career, scoring 245 times in 448 appearances, including 183 in Serie A against the likes of Roma, Fiorentina and Inter Milan.

Although his goalscoring record was impressive, it wasn’t enough to place him in our top three list, with other players making their own choices following their apprenticeships.

3

Mario Kempes

Career: 1970 – 1996

Referred to as the man who put Argentina on the map by Maradona, Mario Kempes was the star of Argentina’s 1978 World Cup triumph, becoming one of three players in history to win the World Cup, the Golden Boot for top scorer, and the Golden Boot, for best player, in the same year.

He single-handedly won the tournament for his country, scoring six goals in the tournament – including two in the final against the Netherlands and finishing as the tournament’s top scorer.

In his international career, he played 43 times for Argentina and scored 20 goals – cementing himself in the country’s history following his impressive performance in 1978.

2

Diego Maradona

Career: 1976-1997

Narrowly missing out on the top spot is the brilliant Maradona, who has captured the hearts of fans around the world following his time at the club and club – particularly with Napoli.

The attacking midfielder burst onto the scene, scoring 116 league goals in 166 league appearances for his boyhood club, Argentinos Juniors, during the first six years of his professional career.

Undoubtedly, his club success came at Italian club Napoli playing 187 times, contributing 129 goals and assists – he was a hero at the Stadio San Paolo.

Maradona’s best moments came for his beloved Argentina, especially in the 1986 World Cup, where he played a major role in leading his nation to a second World Cup victory.

On the way to lift the cup, in the semi-final against England, Maradona produced two remarkable moments in the history of football. His first goal was epic, with his attempt, now called ‘The Hand of God’ being invisible – causing a lot of controversy.

His second effort in the same match was very different, completing a stunning 60-yard run before slotting home and surely going down as one of the best World Cup goals in history.

1

Lionel Messi

Career: 2004-present

The greatest, the greatest and the greatest there will be – Lionel Andres Messi.

He joined Barcelona at the age of 13 back in 2000, quickly progressing through the club’s youth system and winning everything he could during his time at the Nou Camp.

As part of that famous team, he won ten La Liga titles, seven Copa de Espana trophies, seven Copa del Rey trophies, and four Champions League trophies.

Messi has a record eight Ballon d’Or trophies, has won the Copa America twice and has finally found glory at the World Cup in 2022.

There was always the question of whether he would be the ‘scapegoat’ if he had failed to win international trophies, but following the nation’s recent success, there is no doubt that he is the best to ever grace the game.