15 Greatest Argentine Players in Football History [Ranked]

When you think of Argentina, you think of football. You think of passion, you think of pride. You think of Boca Juniors and River Plate, but perhaps above all else, you think of the countless stars that this South American nation has produced. Players who have transcended the sport and who have captivated the world, players who have achieved it all.

Argentina is a nation of roughly 45 million, steeped in footballing history. La Albiceleste, a translation of ‘the white and sky blue’, denoting their iconic striped shirt, have won the FIFA World Cup on three occasions, and were involved in the inaugural final on the 30th of July 1930, falling to a 4-2 defeat to neighbouring country Uruguay.

In their home continent, Argentina have been even more successful, winning the Copa America an impressive 16 times, most recently in 2024 after beating Colombia, which made them the most successful nation in the competition’s history. And of all those successes, there are some iconic players to have pulled on the famous white and sky blue shirt who stick in our memory the most; players who have graced the sport with their style, skill and industry, and who have created a legacy that reaches all corners of the globe.

Alfredo Di Stefano does not make the list as he played for Argentina just six times before then spending the bulk of his international career with Spain. Although also playing for Italy, Omar Sivori makes the list, as he had more caps for Argentina.

15-11

Claudio Caniggia enjoyed a decent career at club level, playing for Atalanta, Roma and both River Plate and Boca Juniors. But he was much more effective for Argentina, especially during their run to the World Cup final in 1990 where he scored important goals against Brazil and Italy. He just trails Ubaldo Fillol, who was a consistent presence in goal for La Albiceleste in the 70s and 80s. Helping his nation win the 1978 World Cup while also being named as the best shot-stopper at the tournament, he is still widely regarded as the best ‘keeper in Argentina’s history.

While Sergio Aguero might not have lifted international football’s biggest prize, he remains his nation’s third-highest goalscorer of all time. Add his club career with Manchester City, five Premier League titles and a Copa America in 2021 into the mix, and he certainly deserves a spot in the top 15.

Jorge Burruchaga, meanwhile, is one man who boasts an honour very few others on this list can lay claim to. The midfielder scored the winner in the 1986 World Cup final against West Germany, cementing his legacy as an Argentine great. Oscar Ruggeri was also a key man in that historic run, but also claimed two Copa America trophies in 1991 and 1993. Although the defender lifted a league title with Real Madrid too, the accomplishments of other players at club and international level see him miss out on the top 10.

Greatest Argentine Players of All Time (15-11)

Rank
Player
Career Span
Notable Clubs

15.
Claudio Caniggia
1985-2004
River Plate, Atalanta, Roma, Benfica, Boca Juniors, Rangers

14.
Ubaldo Fillol
1965-1991
River Plate, Flamengo, Atletico Madrid, Racing Club

13.
Sergio Aguero
2003-2021
Atletico Madrid, Manchester City, Barcelona

12.
Jorge Burruchaga
1979-1998

11.
Oscar Ruggeri
1980-1997
Boca Juniors, River Plate, Real Madrid

10Javier Mascherano

Career Span: 2003 – 2020

Now the head coach of the Argentina Under 20s side, Javier Mascherano had the sort of distinguished career that many hope for. A product of the illustrious River Plate academy, as many on this list are, the midfielder established himself as a household name upon joining the Premier League, first with West Ham United for a season before earning a move to Liverpool.

Mascherano quickly became a regular under Rafa Benitez, impressing teammates and supporters alike with his maturity and reading of the game at such a young age. He was integral to the Reds’ run to the 2007 Champions League Final, and although narrowly on the losing side, the Argentinian was voted by Liverpool fans as their Man of the Match in that game (although the objective honour went to Filippo Inzaghi).

A dogged defensive midfielder, Mascherano joined Barcelona after three years on Merseyside and reinvented himself as an all-action central defender. It was for his country that the 39-year-old’s qualities shone brightest, and across his impressive 15-year international career, the enforcer amassed 147 caps, serving as captain between 2008 and 2011 and starring in Brazil as his side made the 2014 final.

Mascherano’s International Career

Argentina Caps
147

Argentina Goals
3

Argentina Assists
1

Argentina Honours
Olympic Gold Medal (x2)

9Javier Zanetti

Career Span: 1992 – 2014

Javier Zanetti is unique. Buenos Aires-born, but very much an adopted Milanese, the now 50-year-old dedicated a remarkable 19 years and 858 career appearances to Inter Milan, making him the foreign player with the most Serie A appearances in history, having joined I Nerazzurri back in 1995 from Argentinian club, Tallares.

Captain of Inter from 2001 until his retirement in 2014 at the age of 40, the right-back holds the record for the most Champions League matches played as captain, and is now serving as Inter’s vice-president. The Argentinian was renowned for his longevity, leadership and versatility, being equally experienced at playing midfield as he was at fullback on either flank.

His international career wasn’t bad either, amassing 144 caps for Argentina between 1994 and 2011, the third most in the country’s history. Silverware sadly escaped him on the international stage, although Zanetti will always be credited with playing a hugely significant role in Inter’s historic treble-winning season in 2009/10.

Zanetti’s International Career

Argentina Caps
144

Argentina Goals
5

Argentina Assists
5

Argentina Honours
None

8Omar Sivori

Career Span: 1954 – 1969

A name likely not so familiar to many modern-day fans, Omar Sivori typified everything it is that makes Argentinian footballers so alluring and enigmatic. The attacking midfielder, who stood at just 5’4″, was known for his pace, trickery and technique. A product of the River Plate academy, Sivori, aged just 21 at the time, exploded onto the global stage at the 1957 South American Championships as part of a devastating attacking trio nicknamed the Trio of Death which also comprised Humberto Maschio and Valentin Angellilo. As a result of their performances at the tournament, all three earned moves to Italy, with Sivori transferring to Juventus for £91,000, which was at the time a world-record fee.

He guided Juventus to the Scudetto that season, playing 32 of a possible 34 league matches and scoring 22 times. The Argentine won the Serie A Golden Boot in 1960, and in 1961 the coveted Ballon d’Or trophy, being granted entry for the award due to switching his allegiance to Italy. Sivori remained in Turin until 1965, when he then transferred to Napoli for four seasons, but injuries prevented him from reaching similar heights.

Sivori’s International Career

Argentina Caps
19

Argentina Goals
9

Argentina Assists
N/A

Argentina Honours
Copa America (x1)

7Angel Di Maria

Career Span: 2005 – Present

Perhaps one of the most underrated players of his generation, Angel Di Maria has shown remarkable longevity in a career spanning 19 years. Debuting as a fresh-faced 17-year-old for his boyhood club Rosario Central in 2005, whose academy he joined aged just four years old, the winger made his first strides in Europe with Portuguese giants, Benfica in 2007.

In the summer of 2009, Di Maria made the move to Real Madrid, where he continued to flourish, staying in the capital for five years. In what turned out to be his final season in Spain, Fideo, a translation of ‘noodle’ in reference to his slender frame, was named Man of the Match in the Champions League Final as Real triumphed over city rivals Atletico Madrid, resulting in a place in UEFA’s Team of the Season as well as being crowned Argentine Footballer of the Year.

After a brief and troubled spell, as he flopped at Manchester United in a move that was, at the time, a British transfer record, Di Maria joined Paris Saint-Germain, where he won five out of a possible seven league titles, before spending last season with Juventus. Over the course of his career, he has gained a reputation for performing in the biggest moments, making him one of the greatest wingers in European football history.

This is also certainly true in his contribution to his country. The 36-year-old scored the only goal in a tightly contested 2021 Copa America Final, Argentina’s first since 1993, and in the World Cup final the following year, he won the penalty for the first goal, and scored the second as La Albiceleste went on to beat France on penalties in a gripping final. His final match with Argentina was the 2024 Copa America final, as he secured another trophy – the perfect ending to an incredible international career.

Di Maria’s International Career

Argentina Caps
145

Argentina Goals
31

Argentina Assists
32

Argentina Honours
World Cup (x1), Copa America (x2), Olympic Gold Medal (x1)

6Daniel Passarella

Career Span: 1971 – 1989

Few players have had an impact on their nation as seismic as Daniel Passarella. Regarded as one of the finest centre-backs of his generation, if not in history, Passarella led Argentina to their first-ever World Cup as captain in 1978, before being part of the squad that won the tournament again in 1986, by which point he was 33.

Nicknamed El Gran Capitan (The Grand Captain) for his immense leadership skills, the now 70-year-old spent nine seasons of his career with River Plate, before taking his first steps into Europe with Fiorentina and then Inter Milan. Despite his height of 5’8″, unusually short for a centre back, Passarella was famed for his incredible aerial ability in offensive situations, as well as his delivery of free-kicks and penalties.

5Juan Roman Riquelme

Career Span: 2003 – 2020

Regarded by many as one of the most naturally gifted players that the country has ever produced, Juan Roman Riquelme was an archetypal Argentinian ‘enganche’, an attacking midfielder blessed with an abundance of creativity, vision, and flair. Never perhaps fully appreciated by the European audience, Riquelme spent the vast majority of his career at Boca Juniors, making 290 appearances across two spells at either end of his 19-year-long career, scoring 76 goals and assisting 96 in that time.

In Europe, he is fondly remembered for his time at Spanish side Villarreal, helping the club reach a third place finish in La Liga and the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time in their history. Riquelme was named Argentine Player of the Year an impressive four times, South American Footballer of the Year in 2001, and he finished 14th in the Ballon d’Or in both 2005 and 2007. A year later, he captained Argentina’s side full of bright young stars to Olympic Gold in Beijing, beating Nigeria in the final.

Riquelme’s International Career

Argentina Caps
51

Argentina Goals
17

Argentina Assists
20

Argentina Honours
Olympic Gold Medal (x1)

4Gabriel Batistuta

Career Span: 1988 – 2004

Until 2016, Gabriel Batistuta was Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer. That’s what he was best at, finding the back of the net, and he did it in some style from club and country. Born in Santa Fe, and a product of the Newells Old Boys academy, ‘Gabigol’ is best known for his iconic time spent in Italy, predominantly with Fiorentina. Over nine years, the 55-year-old became La Viola’s all-time record goalscorer and was worshipped within the city.

When Fiorentina were relegated in 1993, Batistuta remained loyal to the club, staying with them and guiding them immediately back to Serie A the following season. As a result, in 2014, he was inducted into the Fiorentina Hall of Fame as well as the Serie A Hall of Fame. The Argentine went on to join AS Roma for a then-world record fee for a player over 30 and win the Scudetto in his first season in the capital.

With his country, Batistuta won the Copa America twice, in 1991 and 1993, and also finished as the tournament’s Golden Boot winner. In 1998, ‘Gabigol’ was named Argentine Player of the Year, the same year in which he came sixth in the Ballon d’Or, bettered only by his fourth-place finish the following year.

Batistuta’s International Career

Argentina Caps
78

Argentina Goals
55

Argentina Assists
10

Argentina Honours
Copa America (x 2)

3Mario Kempes

Career Span: 1970 – 1996

In at three is the star of Argentina’s 1978 World Cup triumph, Mario Kempes. Nicknamed ‘El Matador’, the forward is only one of three players in history to have won the World Cup, the Golden Boot for the top scorer, and the Golden Ball, for the best player, in the same year. That same year, he was named South American Footballer of the Year, and was awarded Onze d’Or, given to the best player playing in Europe.

At club level, Kempes is best known for his time at historic Spanish side Valencia between 1976-1981 and then again from 1982-1984. During his time at Los Ches, the 6’0″ Argentinian forward won the Pichichi Trophy in both 1977 and 1978 for finishing as the top goalscorer in La Liga. In total, Kempes scored 116 league goals in 184 league appearances for Valencia, but will forever best be remembered for his accomplishments in the blue and white of Argentina.

Kempes’ International Career

Argentina Caps
41

Argentina Goals
18

Argentina Assists
N/A

Argentina Honours
World Cup (x1)

2Diego Maradona

Career Span: 1976 – 1997

Where to even begin with Diego Maradona? Jointly named as FIFA’s Player of the 20th Century and undoubtedly one of the all-time greats, Maradona captured the hearts and minds of a nation like nobody else before. He was as divisive and watchable off the pitch as he was on it. Adored and worshipped wherever he went. Truly one of a kind.

Dubbed El Pibe de Oro (The Golden Boy), he carried the weight of a nation’s expectations with him from a young age. And he didn’t disappoint, scoring 116 league goals in 166 league matches for his boyhood side, Argentinos Juniors, over the first six years of his professional career.

The following four years were spent equally between Boca Juniors and Barcelona before Maradona’s famed move to Napoli, a love affair that lasted seven years and ended in heartbreak when he was banned for illegal off-pitch activities.

Maradona’s most iconic moments came for his beloved Argentina, most notably in the 1986 World Cup, when, almost single-handedly, he captained his nation to victory, winning the Golden Ball trophy for the best player. On route to lifting the trophy, in the semi-final versus England, Maradona produced two of the most iconic moments in football history. First, the game’s opener, in his own words described as: “A little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.” The second, an otherworldly mazy run over 60 metres, slaloming beyond five England players, rounding a bewildered Peter Shilton before slotting into an empty net. For many, the Goal of the Century.

1Lionel Messi

Career Span: 2004 – Present

They thought there could never be another Maradona, until Lionel Messi. Admittedly not as extravagant as the man in second place, nor as evocative, but every bit as talented (if not more so), and with a list of honours that may never be matched. Messi took a different route to the top, leaving his hometown of Rosario at age 13 to join Barcelona. At the Catalan club, he accomplished it all. 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa de Espana trophies, seven Copa del Rey trophies, and four Champions League trophies.

In his 17 senior years at Barcelona, Messi became the club’s all-time top appearance maker, the club and league’s all-time top scorer and top assister. In fact, with a staggering 357, the little magician has recorded the most competitive assists of all time. The 37-year-old has won 45 professional trophies, more than anyone in history, and has a record six European Golden Shoes and a record eight Ballon d’Or.

1Lionel Messi

Career Span: 2004 – Present

They thought there could never be another Maradona, until Lionel Messi. Admittedly not as extravagant as the man in second place, nor as evocative, but every bit as talented (if not more so), and with a list of honours that may never be matched. Messi took a different route to the top, leaving his hometown of Rosario at age 13 to join Barcelona. At the Catalan club, he accomplished it all. 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa de Espana trophies, seven Copa del Rey trophies, and four Champions League trophies.

In his 17 senior years at Barcelona, Messi became the club’s all-time top appearance maker, the club and league’s all-time top scorer and top assister. In fact, with a staggering 357, the little magician has recorded the most competitive assists of all time. The 37-year-old has won 45 professional trophies, more than anyone in history, and has a record six European Golden Shoes and a record eight Ballon d’Or.