Argentina is one of the countries with the strongest football in South America in particular and the world in general. In any era, Argentina has produced many outstanding players with natural talent and flowery play. In addition to the familiar Messi, does Argentine football have other names that make you admire? Let's join Wintips to the list of 12 Best soccer players in Argentina right below.
Best soccer players in Argentina - Top 12
1/ Diego Maradona
The first name on the list of "best soccer players in Argentina" is Maradona. Armando Maradona, commonly known as Diego Maradona or simply Maradona, was an Argentine footballer and coach. Regarded as one of the greatest players in history, he is one of the two recipients of FIFA's Player of the 20th Century award.
His presence and leadership abilities on the field greatly influenced the team's overall performance, even though he was often closely marked by opposing players. In addition to his creativity, he also possessed a keen eye for goal and was known as an expert in free-kick taking. As a prodigious talent, Maradona was bestowed with the nickname "El Pibe de Oro", which translates to "The Golden Boy".
2/ Alfredo di Stefano
Di Stefano is recognized as the number one star throughout the illustrious history of Real Madrid in Spain. His outstanding performances helped the White Herons clinch 5 consecutive Champions League titles. Despite a short-lived stint at the national level, this football legend had a brief but impactful time with Argentina, scoring 6 goals in 6 matches, thus aiding his team to victory in the 1947 Copa America.
Not only was Di Stefano an exceptional forward with remarkable physical endurance, superb technique, tactical awareness, and a high level of competitiveness, but he could also play in various positions on the field. Most famous for his role as a center forward, he was also a skilled defensive player and could excel as a midfielder or winger.
3/ Lionel Messi
Number 3 on the list of Argentina soccer best players is definitely the name that anyone knows - Lionel Messi. Messi is the biggest football talent that Argentina has produced after the generation of the legendary Maradona. However, the drought of international titles with the Albiceleste became the biggest drawback of M10's illustrious career.
8 Ballon d'Or in 14 years, spanning 3 decades, world football, even club level, has probably rarely seen such a continuous and sustained dominance. Not to mention that the owner of that record chain is a player who, despite being hailed as a genius, is full of worldly difficulties. At one point he fell into the depths of despair, still shaking off the mud and rising up.
4/ Mario Kempes
Before the era of Maradona, Kempes was the greatest hero for the Argentina national team in the FIFA World Cup. The legendary player, born in 1954, delivered an outstanding performance by contributing 6 goals, including a brace in the final against the Netherlands, in the FIFA World Cup 1978. Throughout his illustrious career, Kempes scored over 300 goals in total.
Prior to the 1978 World Cup finals in Argentina, Kempes was the only non-Argentina player on coach César Luis Menotti's Argentina roster. Over the course of his career, Kempes scored 20 goals in 43 caps for his country. In addition to the 1974 and 1978 World Cups, he also participated in the 1982 World Cup.
5/ Omar Sivori
Sivori became a beloved football icon both inside and outside Argentina. His peak playing career is associated with 6 consecutive national championships; including 3 titles with River Plate, 3 Serie A titles with Juventus. Sivori was also a key player in the Albiceleste's quest for the Copa America in 1957.
In the list of the 125 best players in the world of all time published by FIFA, Sivori is one of 10 Argentine players present. That is a reaffirmation of Sivori's talent and contributions to world football and Juventus when he was previously awarded the Ballon d'Or by France Football magazine.
6/ Gabriel Batistuta
Gabriel Omar Batistuta (born 1 February 1969), Argentine nationality nicknamed Batigol, is a former professional footballer and he is one of the best strikers in the history of Argentine football in particular and world football in general. The Argentine striker is the top goalscorer in club and national team colours.
Batistuta has 56 goals in 72 appearances for the Albiceleste; it was a record that stood for a long time before being surpassed by superstar Lionel Messi. The one-time player also became the only star to have two hat tricks in two different FIFA World Cups.
7/ Ubaldo Fillol
Ubaldo Matildo Fillol (born 21 July 1950), nicknamed el Pato. He is an Argentine football coach and former goalkeeper. The legend participated in the 1974, 1978 tournaments (where he won the championship with his team and was voted Best Goalkeeper) and the 1982 World Cup representing the Argentina national team.
The legendary Fillol spent almost the entire 30-year career at his top club in his native Argentina. He won 7 league titles with River Plate, 1 Supercopa Sudamericana championship at the age of 38 with Racing. At senior level, Fillol became the No. 1 choice in the Albiceleste at the 1974, 1978, and 1982 FIFA World Cups.
8/ Daniel Passarella
Daniel Alberto Passarella (born May 25, 1953) is a former football player and coach from Argentina, regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time. During his tenure with the Argentine national team, he was a member of two FIFA World Cup-winning squads. Additionally, he led his national team to victory in the 1978 FIFA World Cup, which Argentina hosted, and was also part of the winning team in 1986.
Captain Passarella's outstanding performance contributed greatly to Argentina's world championship in 1978. Despite playing as a defender, this legend possesses remarkable goalscoring ability: 144 goals in 477 games at the club: 144 goals in 477 games at the club; 22 goals with 70 appearances for the national team.
9/ Angel Labruna
No. 9 on the best soccer players in Argentina list is Angel Labruna. Labruna is famous for his hometown team River Plate as a striker. Throughout his 20-year history with the Monumental side team, the Argentine won 9 national championship titles along with other illustrious names such as Jose Manuel Moreno, Adolfo Perdernera, Felix Loustau and Alfredo di Stéfano.
In addition, Labruna was also honored to have 2 times lifted the South American championship in 1946, 1955 with the Argentina national team. With 323 goals scored in official matches, including 294 in the league, Labruna is the Primera División's 2nd highest goal scorer of all time after Paraguayan Arsenio Erico.
10/ Fernando Redondo
Fernando Redondo, real name Fernando Carlos Redondo Neri, born 6 July 1969, in Adrogué, Buenos Aires is an Argentine former footballer. Carlos Redondo plays as a defensive midfielder, but his play has an artistic style. Redondo is considered one of the defensive midfielders possessing the most romantic and pompous play in Argentine history.
The legendary Diego Maradona thinks Redondo and Batistuta are the two best players of his generation. The 49-year-old has featured prominently both for the national team and giant club Real Madrid. Redondo won the UEFA Champions League Player of the Year in the 1999/2000 season.
11/ Hernán Jorge Crespo
Jorge Crespo, born on July 5, 1975, is a former Argentine footballer. He was born near Vicente López Partido, Florida, Greater Buenos Aires, adjacent to Buenos Aires. He is renowned for his strong defensive abilities and is also one of the most efficient goal scorers in the game, thanks to his off-the-ball movement skills.
His achievements include 1 Copa Libertadores title, 1 Premier League championship, 3 Scudetto titles, and an Olympic Silver Medal. Crespo was also the top scorer of Serie A in 2000-01 with 26 goals. In 2004, he was selected by Pelé as one of the 125 greatest living footballers.
12/ Ángel Di María
Angel Di Maria is the hero of Argentina and the "patronus" of Lionel Messi when it comes to important goals in the team's finals. He scored two goals in two finals against Brazil and France in the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup, helping Argentina quench its decades-long thirst for titles.
The winger born in 1988 has a fulfilling career when he has won almost all noble titles in club and national team. He won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the C1 Cup while playing for Real Madrid. Di Maria has a complete collection in the Argentina shirt having won the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 World Cup.
Conclude
So we have taken a look at the 12 best players in Argentine football of all time. It can be seen that Messi is inherently very successful, but compared to other legends, the former Barca star is still far away. Thank you for your interest in today's article. Don't forget to visit our legal bookmaker ranking website to keep up to date with more new news.
See also: Top 10 shortest football player in the world right now
