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Argentina
A team across generations. Build your eleven, then explore the careers.
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A team across generations
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The 330 on the pitch
The duels
Pick the greater legend. Every vote moves the people's ranking of Argentina.
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The 33 of Argentina.
Editorial order, with a career scene and sources behind every name.
01
Diego Maradona 91 caps (Argentina) · 34 goals · FC Barcelona, SSC Napoli · FIFA World Cup 1986At the Azteca on 22 June 1986 he collected the ball in his own half, beat five England players over sixty yards in about eleven seconds, and rolled it past Peter Shilton.
CAM1977–1994
Diego Maradona 91 caps (Argentina) · 34 goals · FC Barcelona, SSC Napoli · FIFA World Cup 1986At the Azteca on 22 June 1986 he collected the ball in his own half, beat five England players over sixty yards in about eleven seconds, and rolled it past Peter Shilton.
CAM1977–1994
02
Lionel Messi 207 (as of 5 October 2026) caps (Argentina) · 125 (as of 5 October 2026) goals · Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain · 8× Ballon d'OrLusail, 18 December 2022: he scored twice in a final that ended 3-3, then buried the first penalty of a shootout Argentina won 4-2.
RM2005–
Lionel Messi 207 (as of 5 October 2026) caps (Argentina) · 125 (as of 5 October 2026) goals · Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain · 8× Ballon d'OrLusail, 18 December 2022: he scored twice in a final that ended 3-3, then buried the first penalty of a shootout Argentina won 4-2.
RM2005–
03
Alfredo Di Stéfano 6 caps (Argentina) · 6 goals · Millonarios, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol · 2× Ballon d'OrAt Hampden Park on 18 May 1960, in front of more than 127,000 spectators, the Blond Arrow scored three of Real Madrid's goals in the 7-3 defeat of Eintracht Frankfurt.
SS1947–1961
Alfredo Di Stéfano 6 caps (Argentina) · 6 goals · Millonarios, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol · 2× Ballon d'OrAt Hampden Park on 18 May 1960, in front of more than 127,000 spectators, the Blond Arrow scored three of Real Madrid's goals in the 7-3 defeat of Eintracht Frankfurt.
SS1947–1961
04
Daniel Passarella 70 caps (Argentina) · Club Atlético River Plate, ACF Fiorentina · FIFA World Cup 1978When Argentina beat the Netherlands at the Monumental on 25 June 1978, the trophy went into his hands before anyone else's, and he finished a centre-back career with 134 goals in 451 matches.
CB1974–1986
Daniel Passarella 70 caps (Argentina) · Club Atlético River Plate, ACF Fiorentina · FIFA World Cup 1978When Argentina beat the Netherlands at the Monumental on 25 June 1978, the trophy went into his hands before anyone else's, and he finished a centre-back career with 134 goals in 451 matches.
CB1974–1986
05
José Manuel Moreno 34 caps (Argentina) · 19 goals · Club Atlético River Plate, Real Club EspañaHe insisted the tango was the best training available to him, and River Plate lived with the missed sessions because the inside forward of La Máquina returned 156 goals in 256 games.
CM1936–1950
José Manuel Moreno 34 caps (Argentina) · 19 goals · Club Atlético River Plate, Real Club EspañaHe insisted the tango was the best training available to him, and River Plate lived with the missed sessions because the inside forward of La Máquina returned 156 goals in 256 games.
CM1936–1950
06
Omar Sívori 19 caps (Argentina) · 9 goals · Club Atlético River Plate, Juventus · 1× Ballon d'OrArgentina's 1957 South American Championship was won by a forward line the press called the carasucias, and he was the one playing with his socks rolled down to his ankles, treating the nutmeg as a signature.
SS1956–1962
Omar Sívori 19 caps (Argentina) · 9 goals · Club Atlético River Plate, Juventus · 1× Ballon d'OrArgentina's 1957 South American Championship was won by a forward line the press called the carasucias, and he was the one playing with his socks rolled down to his ankles, treating the nutmeg as a signature.
SS1956–1962
07
GB
Gabriel Batistuta 78 caps (Argentina) · 56 goals · ACF Fiorentina, AS RomaRelegation to Serie B in 1993 was the moment other strikers would have left Fiorentina, and he stayed, scored them back up in one season and finished as the club's leading Serie A scorer with 151 goals.
ST1991–2002
08
JZ
Javier Zanetti 145 caps (Argentina) · Club Atlético Talleres de Remedios de Escalada, Club Atlético BanfieldInter gave him the armband in 2001 and he kept it until he retired at forty, by then on 858 appearances for the club and two red cards in a twenty-two-year career.
RB1994–2011
09
Ángel Di María 145 caps (Argentina) · 31 goals · S.L. Benfica, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol · FIFA World Cup 2022The 2021 Copa América final turned on a long ball he ran onto at the Maracanã, chipping Ederson to beat Brazil and end a twenty-eight-year wait for Argentina.
LM2008–2024
Ángel Di María 145 caps (Argentina) · 31 goals · S.L. Benfica, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol · FIFA World Cup 2022The 2021 Copa América final turned on a long ball he ran onto at the Maracanã, chipping Ederson to beat Brazil and end a twenty-eight-year wait for Argentina.
LM2008–2024
10
FR
Fernando Redondo 29 caps (Argentina) · C.D. Tenerife, Real Madrid Club de FútbolAt Old Trafford on 19 April 2000 he carried the ball into the left corner, back-heeled it through Henning Berg's legs, ran onto it himself and squared for Raúl to make it 3-0.
CDM1992–1999
11
Juan Román Riquelme 51 caps (Argentina) · 17 goals · FC Barcelona, Villarreal CFSix minutes into the 2000 Intercontinental final he floated a 40-yard pass over Geremi for Palermo to finish, and late in the same win over Real Madrid he held the ball in the corner past Helguera, Geremi and McManaman.
CAM1997–2008
Juan Román Riquelme 51 caps (Argentina) · 17 goals · FC Barcelona, Villarreal CFSix minutes into the 2000 Intercontinental final he floated a 40-yard pass over Geremi for Palermo to finish, and late in the same win over Real Madrid he held the ball in the corner past Helguera, Geremi and McManaman.
CAM1997–2008
12
Mario Kempes 43 caps (Argentina) · 20 goals · Club Atlético Rosario Central, Valencia CF · FIFA World Cup 1978Argentina were still goalless in the 1978 final when Kempes slotted under Jongbloed from twelve yards in the 38th minute, and in extra time he ran through two sliding tackles and forced the loose ball in for 2-1.
ST1973–1982
Mario Kempes 43 caps (Argentina) · 20 goals · Club Atlético Rosario Central, Valencia CF · FIFA World Cup 1978Argentina were still goalless in the 1978 final when Kempes slotted under Jongbloed from twelve yards in the 38th minute, and in extra time he ran through two sliding tackles and forced the loose ball in for 2-1.
ST1973–1982
13
SA
Sergio Agüero 101 caps (Argentina) · 41 goals · Club Atlético Independiente, Atlético MadridBalotelli's pass reached him with 93:20 on the clock at the Etihad on 13 May 2012, and the finish past Paddy Kenny took the title off Manchester United on goal difference.
ST2006–2021
14
Carlos Tevez 76 caps (Argentina) · 13 goals · Manchester United, Manchester CityAt Old Trafford on the final day of 2006/07 he took Bobby Zamora's pass and drove it under Edwin van der Sar, and West Ham stayed up while Sheffield United went down.
SS2004–2015
Carlos Tevez 76 caps (Argentina) · 13 goals · Manchester United, Manchester CityAt Old Trafford on the final day of 2006/07 he took Bobby Zamora's pass and drove it under Edwin van der Sar, and West Ham stayed up while Sheffield United went down.
SS2004–2015
15
Emiliano Martínez 65 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (Argentina) · Arsenal, Reading · FIFA World Cup 2022Argentina were seconds from losing the 2022 final when Kolo Muani broke clear in the 123rd minute, and Dibu spread himself wide to block the shot with his outstretched left leg.
GK2021–
Emiliano Martínez 65 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (Argentina) · Arsenal, Reading · FIFA World Cup 2022Argentina were seconds from losing the 2022 final when Kolo Muani broke clear in the 123rd minute, and Dibu spread himself wide to block the shot with his outstretched left leg.
GK2021–
16
Javier Mascherano 147 caps (Argentina) · Liverpool, FC BarcelonaRobben was through inside the six-yard box in the last minute of the 2014 semi-final when he slid across and took the ball, a block he said afterwards had torn him open.
CDM2003–2016
Javier Mascherano 147 caps (Argentina) · Liverpool, FC BarcelonaRobben was through inside the six-yard box in the last minute of the 2014 semi-final when he slid across and took the ball, a block he said afterwards had torn him open.
CDM2003–2016
17
Lautaro Martínez 84 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (Argentina) · 40 (as of 4 October 2026) goals · Racing Club, Inter Milan · FIFA World Cup 2022In the 112th minute of the 2024 Copa América final in Miami, Lo Celso slipped him through and El Toro finished on the half-turn to sink Colombia, his fifth goal of a tournament he ended as top scorer.
ST2018–
Lautaro Martínez 84 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (Argentina) · 40 (as of 4 October 2026) goals · Racing Club, Inter Milan · FIFA World Cup 2022In the 112th minute of the 2024 Copa América final in Miami, Lo Celso slipped him through and El Toro finished on the half-turn to sink Colombia, his fifth goal of a tournament he ended as top scorer.
ST2018–
18
Luis Monti 16 caps (Argentina) · 5 goals · Club Atlético Huracán, San Lorenzo de Almagro · FIFA World Cup 1934They called him doble ancho in Buenos Aires, double wide for the ground he ate in front of the defence, and on 30 July 1930 he lost the first World Cup final at the Centenario to Uruguay.
CM1924–1936
Luis Monti 16 caps (Argentina) · 5 goals · Club Atlético Huracán, San Lorenzo de Almagro · FIFA World Cup 1934They called him doble ancho in Buenos Aires, double wide for the ground he ate in front of the defence, and on 30 July 1930 he lost the first World Cup final at the Centenario to Uruguay.
CM1924–1936
19
Nicolás Otamendi 139 caps (Argentina) · FC Porto, Manchester City · FIFA World Cup 2022They call him El General in Argentina, and he defended like one in Qatar, starting all seven matches and standing through the full 120 minutes of the 2022 final against France.
CB2009–2026
Nicolás Otamendi 139 caps (Argentina) · FC Porto, Manchester City · FIFA World Cup 2022They call him El General in Argentina, and he defended like one in Qatar, starting all seven matches and standing through the full 120 minutes of the 2022 final against France.
CB2009–2026
20
Oscar Ruggeri 97 caps (Argentina) · Club Atlético River Plate, Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield · FIFA World Cup 1986Eighteen minutes into Argentina's 1986 World Cup opener against South Korea, on 2 June in Mexico City, he headed in a Maradona free kick, El Cabezón scoring the way the nickname promised.
CB1983–1994
Oscar Ruggeri 97 caps (Argentina) · Club Atlético River Plate, Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield · FIFA World Cup 1986Eighteen minutes into Argentina's 1986 World Cup opener against South Korea, on 2 June in Mexico City, he headed in a Maradona free kick, El Cabezón scoring the way the nickname promised.
CB1983–1994
21
RB
Ricardo Bochini 28 caps (Argentina) · 0 goals · Club Atlético Independiente · FIFA World Cup 1986He waited until 32 for his World Cup, and when Bilardo finally sent him on against Belgium in 1986 with the tie already won, Maradona ran over with a line Argentina still quotes: come in, Maestro, we have been waiting for you.
CAM1973–1986
22
Ubaldo Fillol 58 caps (Argentina) · Quilmes Atlético Club, Racing Club · FIFA World Cup 1978El Pato saved Kazimierz Deyna's penalty in Rosario on 14 June 1978, the first of three straight clean sheets that carried Argentina through the second group stage.
GK1974–1985
Ubaldo Fillol 58 caps (Argentina) · Quilmes Atlético Club, Racing Club · FIFA World Cup 1978El Pato saved Kazimierz Deyna's penalty in Rosario on 14 June 1978, the first of three straight clean sheets that carried Argentina through the second group stage.
GK1974–1985
23
Diego Simeone 106 caps (Argentina) · Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield, Atlético MadridSaint-Étienne, 30 June 1998: he clipped David Beckham, ruffled his hair going past, and went down under the flick that came back, later admitting the referee had fallen into the trap.
CDM1988–2002
Diego Simeone 106 caps (Argentina) · Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield, Atlético MadridSaint-Étienne, 30 June 1998: he clipped David Beckham, ruffled his hair going past, and went down under the flick that came back, later admitting the referee had fallen into the trap.
CDM1988–2002
24
Hernán Crespo 64 caps (Argentina) · 35 goals · Club Atlético River Plate, Parma Calcio 1913Istanbul, 2005: he scored twice before half time, the second a dink over Jerzy Dudek from Kaká's pass that put Milan 3-0 up, and he finished the night with a runners-up medal.
ST1995–2007
Hernán Crespo 64 caps (Argentina) · 35 goals · Club Atlético River Plate, Parma Calcio 1913Istanbul, 2005: he scored twice before half time, the second a dink over Jerzy Dudek from Kaká's pass that put Milan 3-0 up, and he finished the night with a runners-up medal.
ST1995–2007
25
Juan Sebastián Verón 73 caps (Argentina) · 9 goalsHis father had been La Bruja at Estudiantes, so the son answered to La Brujita, and on 15 July 2009 he was man of the match in the Mineirão as Cruzeiro lost the Copa Libertadores final.
CM1996–2010
Juan Sebastián Verón 73 caps (Argentina) · 9 goalsHis father had been La Bruja at Estudiantes, so the son answered to La Brujita, and on 15 July 2009 he was man of the match in the Mineirão as Cruzeiro lost the Copa Libertadores final.
CM1996–2010
26
Oreste Corbatta 43 caps (Argentina) · 18 goals · Racing Club, Deportivo Independiente MedellínHe took 68 penalties as a professional and missed four, and on the right he hugged the chalk so tightly that Argentina called him el dueño de la raya.
RM1956–1962
Oreste Corbatta 43 caps (Argentina) · 18 goals · Racing Club, Deportivo Independiente MedellínHe took 68 penalties as a professional and missed four, and on the right he hugged the chalk so tightly that Argentina called him el dueño de la raya.
RM1956–1962
27
OA
Osvaldo Ardiles 52 caps (Argentina) · 8 goals · Club Atlético Belgrano, Club Atlético Huracán · FIFA World Cup 1978Weeks after winning the World Cup in 1978 he moved to Tottenham, and by April 1981 the club's cup final record was built around his name: Ossie's going to Wembley, his knees have gone all trembly, a number five hit.
CM1975–1982
28
RA
Roberto Ayala 115 caps (Argentina) · Ferro Carril Oeste, SSC NapoliFour minutes into the second half in Berlin on 30 June 2006, El Ratón rose to a Riquelme corner and headed Argentina in front of Germany, then saw Jens Lehmann save his penalty in the shootout.
CB1994–2007
29
Roberto Perfumo 37 caps (Argentina) · Racing Club, Cruzeiro E.C.In the Montevideo play-off of 4 November 1967, with six men sent off, he anchored the Racing back line while Juan Carlos Cárdenas's 55th-minute goal beat Celtic and made them champions of the world.
CB1964–1974
Roberto Perfumo 37 caps (Argentina) · Racing Club, Cruzeiro E.C.In the Montevideo play-off of 4 November 1967, with six men sent off, he anchored the Racing back line while Juan Carlos Cárdenas's 55th-minute goal beat Celtic and made them champions of the world.
CB1964–1974
30
Silvio Marzolini 28 caps (Argentina) · Ferro Carril OesteBobby Charlton said of him that pace was beside the point because the positioning was already right, and FIFA named him left back of the 1966 World Cup even though Argentina were sent home at Wembley in the quarter-final.
LB1960–1969
Silvio Marzolini 28 caps (Argentina) · Ferro Carril OesteBobby Charlton said of him that pace was beside the point because the positioning was already right, and FIFA named him left back of the 1966 World Cup even though Argentina were sent home at Wembley in the quarter-final.
LB1960–1969
31
WS
Walter Samuel 56 caps (Argentina) · Newell's Old Boys, AS RomaAt the Camp Nou on 28 April 2010, Inter spent an hour a man down while Barcelona took 73 percent of the ball, and Il Muro and Lúcio conceded once and reached the final.
CB1999–2010
32
Amadeo Carrizo 20 caps (Argentina) · Club Atlético River Plate, MillonariosHe was 42 on 14 July 1968 when he stretched his run without conceding to 769 minutes, past Antonio Roma's national record, and Carlos Bianchi ended it in that same match.
GK1954–1964
Amadeo Carrizo 20 caps (Argentina) · Club Atlético River Plate, MillonariosHe was 42 on 14 July 1968 when he stretched his run without conceding to 769 minutes, past Antonio Roma's national record, and Carlos Bianchi ended it in that same match.
GK1954–1964
33
JO
Jorge Olguín 60 caps (Argentina) · San Lorenzo de Almagro, Club Atlético IndependienteMenotti took him from centre back and made him Argentina's right back, which is how he came to be on the field at the Monumental on 25 June 1978 when Kempes settled the final in extra time.
RB1976–1982
About this XI
Diego Maradona tops Argentina's all-time pool, ahead of Lionel Messi and Alfredo Di Stéfano. The 33 covers 3 goalkeepers, 9 defenders, 13 midfielders and 8 forwards, with sourced senior international careers spanning the 1920s to the 2020s. Pick a formation, drag your eleven onto the pitch, then explore the careers and settle the duels below. Your votes reorder the people's ranking of these 33 in real time.
Left out, and why
A 33 is a set of decisions, and these are the players who lost their place in the last revision of Argentina's list. Every one of them has a case.
- Ariel OrtegaThe place went to Nicolás Otamendi.
- Juan Pablo SorínThe place went to Emiliano Martínez.
- Néstor SensiniThe place went to Julián Álvarez.
- Sergio GoycocheaThe place went to Alfredo Di Stéfano.
Disagree? That is the point. Settle it in the duels above.
Who is the greatest Argentina footballer of all time?
The editorial collection starts with Diego Maradona. Its first five careers: Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Daniel Passarella, José Manuel Moreno. The people's ranking on this page moves with every duel vote and can disagree.
How were these 33 Argentina players chosen?
The collection covers every position across Argentina's football history. Honours, international records and career achievements inform the editorial order. Each entry opens a career note and its sources. Fan votes in the duels build a separate ranking.
Where can I read about the careers?
Open a player page from the collection to read the career scene, club record and recorded honours. The source links show where the available records come from.
Can I build and share my own Argentina all-time XI?
Yes. Pick one of 8 formations, place any of the 33 players onto the pitch, and export your lineup as a PNG. There is no account and no sign-up.