Argentina is a country with a rich history of soccer, and it is home to some of the greatest players in the world. The country has won two World Cups, in 1978 and 1986, and it has produced many other world-class players, including Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, and Gabriel Batistuta.
Argentina is not only home to some of the greatest players of all time, but it is also a country that is producing some of the most exciting young talent in the world. Players like Paulo Dybala, Lautaro Martínez, and Giovani Lo Celso are all making a name for themselves at the highest level, and they are sure to be stars in the years to come.
The Top 10 Argentine Soccer Players of All Time
1. Diego Maradona
Career Start: Argentinos Juniors (1976-1981)
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Achievements:
- 1986 FIFA World Cup Winner
- 1986 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball
- 1986 FIFA World Cup Golden Shoe
- 1983 Copa América Winner
- 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship Winner
- 1978 Copa América Runner-up
- 1978 FIFA World Cup Third Place
- 1977 Copa América Winner
- 1975 FIFA World Youth Championship Runner-up
Interesting Facts:
- Maradona is considered by many to be the greatest soccer player of all time.
- He is known for his incredible dribbling skills and his ability to score goals from anywhere on the field.
- He led Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup, scoring two of the most iconic goals in World Cup history.
- He also played for Barcelona and Napoli, winning numerous trophies with both clubs.
- Maradona is a controversial figure, but there is no doubt that he is one of the greatest soccer players of all time.
2. Lionel Messi
Career Start: Newell’s Old Boys (1995-2000)
Position: Forward
Achievements:
- 7x Ballon d’Or Winner
- 6x European Golden Shoe Winner
- 15x La Liga Winner
- 7x Copa del Rey Winner
- 4x UEFA Champions League Winner
- 3x UEFA Super Cup Winner
- 3x FIFA Club World Cup Winner
- 2022 FIFA World Cup Winner
- 2014 FIFA World Cup Runner-up
- 2018 FIFA World Cup Third Place
- 2008 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Winner
- 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship Winner
- 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist
Interesting Facts:
- Messi is the all-time leading scorer for both Argentina and Barcelona.
- He has won the Ballon d’Or award a record seven times, more than any other player in history.
- He is considered by many to be the greatest soccer player of all time.
- Messi is a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, a four-time UEFA Champions League winner, and a three-time FIFA Club World Cup winner.
- He is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a 2022 FIFA World Cup winner.
3. Gabriel Batistuta
Career Start: Newell’s Old Boys (1988-1990)
Position: Forward
Achievements:
- 1991 Copa América Winner
- 1993 Copa América Runner-up
- 1990 FIFA World Cup Third Place
- 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship Runner-up
- 2x Serie A Top Scorer
- 1x Coppa Italia Winner
- 1x UEFA Cup Winner
Interesting Facts:
- Batistuta is one of the most prolific goalscorers in Argentine history.
- He scored 54 goals in 77 appearances for Argentina.
- He is the all-time leading scorer for Fiorentina.
- Batistuta played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Fiorentina, Roma, and Inter Milan.
- He is a two-time Serie A top scorer and a Coppa Italia winner.
4. Mario Kempes
Career Start: Rosario Central (1973-1976)
Position: Forward
Achievements:
- 1978 FIFA World Cup Winner
- 1978 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot
- 1978 Copa América Winner
- 1975 Copa América Runner-up
- 1974 Intercontinental Cup Winner
- 2x La Liga Top Scorer
- 1x Copa del Rey Winner
- 1x UEFA Cup Winner
Interesting Facts:
- Kempes was the star of Argentina’s 1978 World Cup victory.
5. Daniel Passarella
Career Start: River Plate (1974-1982)
Position: Defender
Achievements:
- 1978 FIFA World Cup Winner
- 1978 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball
- 1978 Copa América Winner
- 1977 Copa América Runner-up
- 1974 Intercontinental Cup Winner
- 5x Serie A Winner
- 4x Coppa Italia Winner
- 1x UEFA Cup Winner
Interesting Facts:
- Passarella is one of the most successful captains in Argentine history.
- He led Argentina to victory in the 1978 World Cup, and he is the only player to have captained Argentina in two World Cup finals.
- Passarella played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including River Plate, Fiorentina, and Inter Milan.
- He is a five-time Serie A winner and a Coppa Italia winner.
6. Javier Zanetti
Career Start: Banfield (1992-1995)
Position: Defender
Achievements:
- 2006 FIFA World Cup Runner-up
- 1995 FIFA World Youth Championship Winner
- 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist
- 17x Serie A Winner
- 5x Coppa Italia Winner
- 1x UEFA Champions League Winner
- 3x UEFA Cup Winner
- 1x FIFA Club World Cup Winner
Interesting Facts:
- Zanetti is one of the most decorated players in Argentine history.
- He won 17 trophies with Inter Milan, and he is the club’s all-time appearance holder.
- Zanetti is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a 2006 FIFA World Cup runner-up.
- He is also a three-time UEFA Champions League winner and a FIFA Club World Cup winner.
7. Hernán Crespo
Career Start: River Plate (1993-1996)
Position: Forward
Achievements:
- 1998 FIFA World Cup Third Place
- 2004 Copa América Winner
- 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship Winner
- 2x Serie A Top Scorer
- 1x La Liga Top Scorer
- 1x Copa del Rey Winner
- 1x UEFA Cup Winner
Interesting Facts:
- Crespo is one of the most prolific goalscorers in Argentine history.
- He scored 35 goals in 64 appearances for Argentina.
- He played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Parma, Lazio, Inter Milan, and AC Milan.
- He is a two-time Serie A top scorer and a Copa del Rey winner.
8. Omar Sívori
Career Start: River Plate (1954-1957)
Position: Forward
Achievements:
- 1961 FIFA Ballon d’Or Winner
- 1960 Copa América Winner
- 1959 Copa América Runner-up
- 1957 Copa América Winner
- 2x Serie A Top Scorer
- 1x Serie A Winner
- 1x Coppa Italia Winner
- 1x European Cup Winner
Interesting Facts:
- Sívori was one of the first Argentine players to make a name for himself in Europe.
- He won the Ballon d’Or in 1961, and he played for Juventus and Napoli.
- Sívori is a two-time Serie A top scorer and a Serie A winner.
9. René Houseman
Career Start: Huracán (1973-1976)
Position: Forward
Achievements:
- 1978 FIFA World Cup Winner
- 1975 Copa América Winner
- 1974 Intercontinental Cup Winner
- 1x Copa América Top Scorer
- 1x Copa Argentina Winner
Interesting Facts:
- Houseman was a member of Argentina’s 1978 World Cup-winning team.
- He was known for his incredible dribbling skills and his ability to score goals from anywhere on the field.
- Houseman played for some of the biggest clubs in Argentina, including Huracán and River Plate.
10. Amadeo Carrizo
Career Start: River Plate (1945-1968)
Position: Goalkeeper
Achievements:
- 1947 Copa América Winner
- 1957 Copa América Winner
- 1955 Copa América Runner-up
- 10x Argentine Primera División Winner
- 4x Copa Libertadores Winner
- 1x Intercontinental Cup Winner
Interesting Facts:
- Carrizo is one of the most successful goalkeepers in Argentine history.
- He played for River Plate for 25 years, and he is the club’s all-time appearance holder.
- Carrizo won 10 Argentine Primera División titles, four Copa Libertadores titles, and one Intercontinental Cup.
- He is considered by many to be one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.
These are just a few of the many great Argentine soccer players. Argentina has a rich history of producing world-class talent, and it will be exciting to see who the next great Argentine player will be.