Three-time World Cup winners and Copa América champions on 16 events, Argentina are some of the profitable sides in worldwide soccer historical past.
Soccer is a lifestyle in Argentina and a number of other of the sport’s best gamers have hailed from the South American nation.
Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and Alfredo Di Stéfano are among the many most interesting footballers ever, though these three all performed extra as forwards than in midfield.
There was loads of expertise within the centre of the park for Argentina through the years as nicely, although. Right here, a have a look at the nation’s greatest-ever midfielders…
33. Carlos Bilardo
Carlos Bilardo was by no means capped by Argentina, however would later go on to turn out to be a legendary determine within the nation’s soccer as he led the South Individuals to World Cup glory in 1986.
However lengthy earlier than that, Bilardo was a tenacious and tactically clever midfielder who was instrumental in Estudiantes’ streak of three consecutive Copa Libertadores triumphs between 1968 and 1970.
32. Enzo Pérez
Enzo Pérez began within the 2014 World Cup ultimate for Argentina and received 26 caps for the Albiceleste in complete between 2009 and 2018.
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A Copa Libertadores winner with each Estudiantes and River Plate, Pérez additionally picked up two Portuguese titles at Benfica, the place he received a home treble and was concerned in back-to-back Europa League ultimate defeats. Later, he had a spell in La Liga with Valencia.
31. Daniel Valencia
Daniel Valencia was a part of Argentina’s squad on the 1978 World Cup, though he didn’t function after the primary sport following a tactical reshuffle by coach César Luis Menotti.
Valencia received 45 caps for Argentina in complete, showing once more on the 1982 World Cup earlier than retiring from worldwide obligation. The attacking midfielder spent most of his membership profession at Talleres de Córdoba and helped the group to their highest-ever league end (second) in 1977.
30. Leonardo Astrada
Leonardo Astrada received 10 Argentine championships and a Copa Libertadores in a massively profitable spell at River Plate within the Nineties and early 2000s.
A Copa América winner with Argentina in 1991, Astrada was named within the South American Staff of the Yr in 1991 and 1997. He received 32 caps in complete between 1991 and 1999.
29. Leonardo Rodríguez
Leonardo Rodríguez performed for Argentina for a comparatively quick interval, however the midfielder made a big impression for the Albiceleste between 1991 and 1994.
Named Participant of the Match as Argentina received the Copa América in 1991, he was within the squad once more because the Albiceleste retained their title two years later. And in 1992, he scored within the ultimate as Argentina received the King Fahd Cup (which later grew to become the Confederations Cup). At membership stage, he had spells in France, Italy, Germany and Chile in an eventful profession.
28. Fernando Gago
Fernando Gago received 61 caps for Argentina in a 10-year worldwide profession and performed for the likes of Boca Juniors (throughout two spells), Actual Madrid and Roma at membership stage.
An Beneath-20 World Cup winner in 2005, the defensive midfielder was a part of the Argentina U-23 group which took gold on the 2008 Olympics. A two-time runner-up within the Copa América, he was additionally a late substitute in Argentina’s extra-time loss to Germany within the 2014 World Cup ultimate.
27. Héctor Enrique
Héctor Enrique was a part of the Argentina group which received the World Cup in 1986 and later capped a memorable yr by serving to River Plate win the Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup.
The final participant to the touch the ball earlier than Diego Maradona ran half the pitch to attain the “Aim of the Century” within the 1986 World Cup quarter-final win in opposition to England, he later famously joked that his cross was so good that it will have been tough for the legendary quantity 10 not to attain. Enrique missed the 1990 World Cup by harm.
26. José Basualdo
José Basualdo received the Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup with each Vélez Sarsfield and Boca Juniors in a profitable profession.
A midfielder with wonderful imaginative and prescient and passing capacity, Basualdo began for Argentina within the 1990 World Cup ultimate defeat to West Germany and was a part of the squad which received the Copa América in 1993.
25. Norberto Alonso
Norberto Alonso is a River Plate legend, having performed for the Buenos Aires giants throughout three spells within the Seventies and Nineteen Eighties. The attacking midfielder is the membership’s fifth-highest scorer as of 2024 and netted one of many objectives as River beat América de Cali to win the Copa Libertadores for the primary time of their historical past in 1986.
A member of Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad, Alonso wore the no. 1 as a result of the Albiceleste opted to allocate numbers in alphabetical order. Thought of among the best South American midfielders of his era, he additionally had spells at Marseille and Vélez Sarsfield.
24. Enzo Fernández
Enzo Fernández made his Argentina debut in 2022 and was within the group which received the World Cup later that yr. The 21-year-old was additionally named because the match’s greatest younger participant.
After the World Cup, Fernández left Benfica for Chelsea in a deal price £106.8 million, which was a British document on the time. He registered two assists as Argentina received the Copa América in 2024.
23. Matías Almeyda
Matías Almeyda performed 40 instances for Argentina, was a part of the Beneath-23 aspect which received silver on the 1996 Olympics and loved a powerful profession in each South America and Europe at membership stage.
After successful three Argentine championships and a Copa Libertadores with River Plate, the defensive midfielder was a key participant for Lazio because the Rome-based membership claimed a Serie A title, two Coppa Italia crowns, a European Cup Winners’ Cup, a UEFA Tremendous Cup and a Supercoppa Italiana within the late Nineties. He received one other Coppa Italia at Parma in 2001/02.
22. Lucho González
A flexible midfielder who might play in varied positions, Lucho González received 45 caps for Argentina between 2003 and 2011, scoring six objectives.
González received trophies all through his profession, choosing up six Portuguese titles throughout two spells with Porto, a Ligue 1 medal at Marseille, two Argentine championships and a Copa Libertadores at River Plate and a few Copa Sudamericana crowns at Athletico Paranaense. He additionally received Olympic gold with Argentina’s Beneath-23 aspect in 2004 and was twice a Copa América runner-up in 2004 and 2007.
21. Giovani Lo Celso
Giovani Lo Celso made his Argentina debut in 2017 and has received over 50 caps since then, showing in back-to-back Copa América ultimate wins for Lionel Scaloni’s aspect.
The previous Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham midfielder was a starter as Argentina beat Brazil within the 2021 ultimate and got here off the bench to arrange Lautaro Martínez for the winner because the Albiceleste edged out Colombia within the 2024 showpiece. He missed the 2022 World Cup with a hamstring harm.
20. Leandro Paredes
After lacking the ultimate lower for the 2018 World Cup, Leandro Paredes impressed for Argentina within the 2019 Copa América and was named within the match’s Finest XI because the Albiceleste completed third.
A starter within the 2021 Copa América ultimate as Argentina beat Brazil, the defensive midfielder got here off the bench and scored a penalty as Lionel Scaloni’s aspect defeated France in a shootout to say the World Cup in 2022. The previous Paris Saint-Germain and Boca Juniors participant appeared as an alternative in additional time once more in Argentina’s extra-time win over Colombia within the 2024 Copa América ultimate.
19. Ricardo Giusti
Ricardo Giusti received over 50 caps for Argentina and the defensive midfielder featured in 5 tournaments for his nationwide aspect.
Ever-present within the 1986 World Cup as Argentina received the match, Giusti missed the ultimate in 1990 after he was proven a second yellow card for an elbow on Italy’s Roberto Baggio within the semi-finals. At membership stage, he was a part of an excellent midfield trio at Independiente and was key because the Buenos Aires aspect received the Copa Libertadores in 1984.
18. Antonio Rattín
A powerful and tenacious central midfielder who spent his complete profession with Boca Juniors, Antonio Rattín performed in two World Cups for Argentina.
Captain in 1966, he was despatched off for dissent in a well-known incident in opposition to England and sat on the crimson carpet reserved for the Queen in protest on the referee’s determination. Rattín received over 30 caps for Argentina and is one in all seven gamers immortalised with a statue on the Boca Juniors museum in Buenos Aires.
17. Lucas Biglia
Lucas Biglia performed 58 instances for Argentina between 2010 and 2018 and was within the group which narrowly misplaced out to Germany within the 2014 World Cup ultimate.
A defensive midfielder or deep-lying playmaker, Biglia was additionally a two-time Copa América runner-up with the senior aspect, however did assist Argentina win the Beneath-20 World Cup in 2005. In seven seasons at Anderlecht, El Principito (“the little Prince”) received 4 Belgian titles, earlier than spells at Lazio and AC Milan. He completed his profession in Turkey.
16. Marcelo Gallardo
Marcelo Gallardo was in comparison with the nice Diego Maradona as a teenager and though he wasn’t that good, the attacking midfielder did go on to have a wonderful profession.
Gallardo received six Argentine championships and a Copa Libertadores at River Plate, the place he performed throughout three spells. He was additionally a Ligue 1 winner at Monaco, the place he spent 4 seasons, and later had a short stint at Paris Saint-Germain. Restricted by accidents, he performed 44 instances for Argentina and scored 13 objectives, and was additionally a part of the Beneath-23 aspect which received a silver medal on the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.
15. Esteban Cambiasso
Esteban Cambiasso performed 52 instances for Argentina and scored 5 objectives, together with one of many nation’s greatest ever at a World Cup in 2006, when he supplied the end to a flowing group transfer in opposition to Serbia and Montenegro in a 6-0 win in Gelsenkirchen.
Cambiasso additionally scored within the ultimate as Argentina beat Uruguay to win the World Youth Championship in 1997. A Copa América and Confederations Cup runner-up with the senior aspect, he spent two seasons at Actual Madrid and a decade at Inter, the place he received the treble and 5 Serie A titles in complete.
14. Ricardo Bochini
Ricardo Bochini might have solely received 28 caps for his nation, however the former Independiente idol is a legend of Argentine soccer.
Idolised by a younger Diego Maradona, Bochini was included in Argentina’s 1986 World Cup squad, although he solely performed a couple of minutes in opposition to Belgium as an alternative. El Bocha spent his complete profession at Independiente and helped the membership to 4 Copa Libertadores titles in a wonderful period. The expression pase bochinesco (“Bochini-esque cross”) continues to be used even at this time to explain a exact through-ball past the line of defense to a ahead participant.
13. Sergio Batista
Sergio Batista began his profession at Argentinos Juniors and was a key participant within the aspect which received two Argentine titles after which the Copa Libertadores within the mid-Nineteen Eighties.
These spectacular shows earned the defensive midfielder a world call-up and he began within the group which received the World Cup in 1986. Batista additionally featured in back-to-back Copa América campaigns in 1987 and 1989, and once more on the 1990 World Cup.
12. Rodrigo De Paul
Rodrigo De Paul has performed a big half in Argentina’s success lately, serving to the Albiceleste win the 2022 World Cup and back-to-back Copa América crowns in 2021 and 2024.
Named within the group of the match for each of these continental championships, the central midfielder joined Atlético Madrid in 2021 after 5 seasons at Udinese, having beforehand performed for Racing Membership and Valencia.
11. Éver Banega
A gifted midfield playmaker, Éver Banega was capped 65 instances by Argentina between 2008 and 2018 – and was maybe unlucky to not function extra for his nation.
A part of the group which received the Beneath-20 World Cup in 2007, Banega additionally helped Argentina’s U-23 aspect to Olympic gold in 2008. He was twice a runner-up within the Copa América and received quite a lot of trophies at membership stage – together with three Europa League titles at Sevilla and a Copa Libertadores with Boca juniors.
10. Juan Sebastián Verón
Juan Sebastián Verón performed 72 instances for Argentina between 1996 and 2010, scoring 9 objectives, and featured in three World Cups for the Albiceleste.
Snug as a deep-lying playmaker or in a extra attacking position, Verón was broadly thought-about among the best midfielders of his era and received trophies at Parma, Lazio, Manchester United, Inter and Estudiantes in a profession spanning twenty years.
9. Américo Gallego
Américo Gallego received 73 caps for Argentina between 1975 and 1982 and the hard-working central midfielder was a key participant for the South Individuals of their 1978 World Cup triumph on house soil.
Gallego had lengthy spells at Newell’s Outdated Boys and River Plate at membership stage. He was captain of the River aspect which received the Copa Libertadores in 1986.
8. Alexis Mac Allister
Alexis Mac Allister was one thing of a fortunate attraction for Argentina on the 2022 World Cup, coming into the group after the shock loss to Saudi Arabia and conserving his place for the remainder of the match as Lionel Scaloni’s aspect went on to win the trophy.
The previous Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder scored in Argentina’s group sport in opposition to Poland and assisted Angel Di Maria’s aim within the ultimate because the South Individuals beat France on penalties in Qatar. He signed for Liverpool in the summertime of 2023.
7. Pablo Aimar
Idolised by a younger Lionel Messi and in comparison with Diego Maradona in his early days, Pablo Aimar was some of the gifted attacking midfielders of his era.
Aimar helped Argentina win the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1997 and performed in two World Cups for the senior aspect. A Copa América finalist in 2007, the previous River Plate, Valencia and Benfica favorite received 52 caps for Argentina in an injury-interrupted profession and scored eight objectives for his nation.
6. Ariel Ortega
A legend at River Plate the place he received six nationwide championships and the Copa Libertadores in 1996, Ariel Ortega was a gifted playmaker who received over 80 caps and scored 17 objectives for Argentina.
All however a type of appearances got here between 1993 and 2003, with a short return in 2010. A key participant within the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cups, the attacking midfielder additionally received a silver medal for Argentina’s Beneath-23 aspect on the 1996 Olympics.
5. Fernando Redondo
Fernando Redondo refused a call-up forward of the 1990 World Cup in favour of concentrating on his research and didn’t play in 1998, claiming coach Daniel Passarella had demanded he lower his hair.
The trendy former Actual Madrid midfielder performed solely 29 instances for his nation, however received the Copa América in 1993, took half within the 1994 World Cup and was named in an all-time Argentine XI by AFA in 2015.
4. Diego Simeone
A fiercely aggressive, all-action midfielder who might assault and defend, Diego Simeone was the primary participant to win 100 caps for Argentina.
Simeone was a fixture within the groups which received the Copa América in 1991 and 1993 and received trophies at Lazio, Inter and Atletico Madrid in a powerful membership profession.
3. Osvaldo Ardiles
Osvaldo Ardiles received over 50 caps for Argentina between 1975 and 1982, scoring eight objectives, and was one of many stars of the 1978 World Cup-winning aspect.
At membership stage, Ardiles loved an extended and profitable spell at Tottenham, the place he affectionately grew to become often called Ossie. Bizarrely, he wore the no. 1 shirt on the 1982 World Cup on account of Argentina’s coverage of allocating numbers in alphabetical order.
2. Javier Mascherano
Javier Mascherano received 147 caps for Argentina and might think about himself unlucky to overlook out on the nation’s spectacular success on the soccer discipline lately, having been a mainstay in midfield and appeared in 5 finals for the Albiceleste.
Mascherano did win two gold medals for Argentina on the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Video games and was a key participant for Barcelona in a wonderful period, adapting his sport to function in central defence for the Catalan membership.
1. Jorge Burruchaga
Diego Maradona might have been the undisputed star of the Argentina group which received the 1986 World Cup, however Jorge Burruchaga scored the aim which sealed victory for the Albiceleste within the ultimate in opposition to West Germany.
An attacking midfielder who had two spells at Independiente and spent seven seasons in France with Nantes, Burruchaga scored 13 objectives in 59 worldwide appearances and was additionally a member of the aspect which reached the World Cup ultimate once more in 1990.
