The best Argentine football players of all time include two men who sit at the center of football’s greatest-player debate: Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona. Yet Argentina’s history goes much deeper. Alfredo Di Stéfano, Mario Kempes, Daniel Passarella, Gabriel Batistuta and Ángel Di María also built careers that shaped different generations.
At FootballerRank, we ranked these players after reviewing their international records, club careers, major trophies, individual awards, peak performance, longevity and historical influence. We checked key records against established sources such as FIFA, CONMEBOL, the Argentine Football Association, Ballon d’Or records and official club archives. No single trophy or statistic decides the ranking.
Key Takeaways
- Lionel Messi ranks No. 1 among the greatest Argentine footballers ever.
- Diego Maradona takes second place after one of the greatest World Cup performances in history.
- Alfredo Di Stéfano ranks third because of his exceptional club career and influence on European football.
- Mario Kempes was the leading figure in Argentina’s first World Cup victory in 1978.
- Daniel Passarella captained Argentina to that 1978 World Cup title.
- Gabriel Batistuta remains one of Argentina’s greatest pure strikers.
- Ángel Di María scored in several of Argentina’s biggest modern finals.
- Messi ended his international career in 2026 with 125 goals in 207 appearances.
- Argentina reached another World Cup final in 2026 but lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time.
- This ranking considers full football careers, not just performances for the Argentina national team.
Top 10 Best Argentine Football Players of All Time
| Rank | Player | Position | Main Career Highlight |
| 1 | Lionel Messi | Forward / Playmaker | 2022 World Cup winner, 8 Ballon d’Or awards |
| 2 | Diego Maradona | Attacking Midfielder | 1986 World Cup winner |
| 3 | Alfredo Di Stéfano | Forward | 5 European Cups, 2 Ballon d’Or awards |
| 4 | Mario Kempes | Forward | 1978 World Cup Golden Ball and Golden Boot |
| 5 | Daniel Passarella | Centre-Back | Captain of 1978 World Cup winners |
| 6 | Gabriel Batistuta | Striker | 56 Argentina goals |
| 7 | Ángel Di María | Winger | 2022 World Cup and 2 Copa América titles |
| 8 | Juan Román Riquelme | Attacking Midfielder | Boca Juniors and Argentina playmaker |
| 9 | Javier Zanetti | Right-Back / Midfielder | 858 Inter appearances |
| 10 | Sergio Agüero | Striker | Manchester City legend and 2021 Copa América winner |
How We Ranked Argentina’s Greatest Footballers?
Comparing players from different eras is never simple.
Football in Di Stéfano’s generation was very different from the game Messi played in the 2020s. Positions, tactics, fitness levels and competitions all changed.
For that reason, raw numbers alone do not decide our list.
Individual Ability
We looked at how complete and effective each player was at his peak.
For attackers, this includes scoring, chance creation, dribbling, movement and passing. For defenders and midfielders, we also consider positioning, control, leadership and defensive value.
Peak Performance
A player’s highest level matters greatly.
Some footballers reached a level where they were widely seen as the best player on the planet. That carries extra weight.
International Impact
Argentina has a rich World Cup and Copa América history.
We considered major tournament performances, important goals, leadership, consistency and the player’s role within the national team.
Club Career
The ranking also considers performances outside international football.
League titles, continental trophies, major finals and long periods of elite club performance strengthen a player’s case.
Individual Awards
Awards such as the Ballon d’Or and World Cup Golden Ball help show how a player was viewed during his own era.
They support the ranking, but they do not decide it alone.
Longevity
A great peak is valuable.
However, staying at a world-class level for many seasons adds another layer to a player’s career.
Historical Influence
Some Argentine footballers changed their club, position or generation.
Their impact can remain long after their final match.
1. Lionel Messi
Position: Forward / Attacking Midfielder
Argentina Career: 2005-2026
World Cup Won: 2022
Copa América Titles: 2021, 2024
Lionel Messi ranks first on our list of the best Argentine football players of all time.
His career now has very few gaps.
Messi spent years producing historic performances for Barcelona while facing criticism because Argentina had not won a major senior international trophy with him.
That story changed completely.
Argentina won the 2021 Copa América after beating Brazil in the final. Messi then captained his country to the 2022 World Cup title.
He scored seven goals at that World Cup and won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
Argentina added another Copa América title in 2024.
Messi returned for one final World Cup in 2026. Argentina reached the final again before losing 1-0 to Spain after extra time.
He announced his international retirement on August 31, 2026.
Messi finished with 125 goals in 207 Argentina appearances, making him the country’s record scorer and appearance holder.
His club career is even larger.
Messi became Barcelona’s defining player, winning 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies. He also won the Ballon d’Or eight times.
What separates Messi is the complete package.
He could score like an elite striker, create like a No. 10 and carry the ball like a winger.
He also remained at the top for an unusually long period.
Why Messi ranks No. 1: His peak level, eight Ballon d’Or awards, club records, World Cup title, two Copa América wins and exceptional longevity give him the strongest total career of any Argentine player.
2. Diego Maradona
Position: Attacking Midfielder / Second Striker
Argentina Career: 1977-1994
World Cup Won: 1986
Diego Maradona remains the closest challenger to Messi.
His case is built heavily around peak influence.
Few players have controlled a major tournament the way Maradona controlled the 1986 World Cup.
He scored five goals and created another five as Argentina became world champions.
Maradona won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
His quarterfinal against England produced two of the most famous goals in football history.
However, his impact went beyond individual moments.
Maradona controlled matches through dribbling, passing, creativity and personality. Opposing teams often changed their entire defensive plan because of him.
His club career at Napoli also carries huge weight.
He helped the Italian club win its first Serie A title and later added another. His success turned him into a lasting symbol of the club and the city.
Maradona also led Argentina to the 1990 World Cup final.
His career was less consistent than Messi’s and included major problems away from football.
At his best, though, Maradona could take control of the biggest matches almost by himself.
Why Maradona ranks No. 2: His 1986 World Cup remains one of football’s greatest individual tournament performances, while his success with Napoli adds to an exceptional peak.
3. Alfredo Di Stéfano
Position: Forward
Born: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Argentina Career: 1947
Alfredo Di Stéfano needs a short explanation in this ranking.
He was born in Argentina and began his international career with Argentina. He later represented Spain after building most of his European career with Real Madrid.
Because this page ranks Argentine football players by nationality and full career, Di Stéfano qualifies for our list.
His club record is extraordinary.
Di Stéfano became the central figure in the Real Madrid side that won the first five European Cups from 1956 to 1960.
He was much more than a traditional forward.
Di Stéfano dropped deep, created attacks, scored goals and helped across the pitch. His movement made him difficult for defenders to follow.
He won the Ballon d’Or in 1957 and 1959.
Real Madrid credits him with 308 goals in 396 official matches for the club.
His weak point in this particular debate is international football.
Unlike Messi, Maradona and Kempes, he never played in a World Cup.
That keeps him below Argentina’s two greatest No. 10s despite his huge club career.
Why Di Stéfano ranks No. 3: His influence on Real Madrid, five European Cups, two Ballon d’Or awards and complete style make him one of the greatest Argentine-born players ever.
4. Mario Kempes
Position: Striker / Attacking Midfielder
Argentina Career: 1973-1982
World Cup Won: 1978
Mario Kempes became the face of Argentina’s first World Cup victory.
The 1978 tournament was played in Argentina, which created enormous pressure on the home team.
Kempes responded with six goals.
He scored twice against the Netherlands in the final as Argentina won 3-1 after extra time.
Kempes finished the competition with both the Golden Boot as top scorer and the Golden Ball as its best player.
That is one of the strongest World Cup records of any Argentine footballer.
Kempes was also highly successful at club level.
He became a major star at Valencia and twice finished as the leading scorer in Spain’s top division.
His game combined direct running, strength and finishing.
He could operate as a striker but also drop deeper and attack from midfield areas.
Why Kempes ranks No. 4: He was the central attacking figure in Argentina’s first World Cup title and won both major individual awards at the 1978 tournament.
5. Daniel Passarella
Position: Centre-Back / Sweeper
Argentina Career: 1976-1986
World Cups Won: 1978, 1986
Daniel Passarella is the highest-ranked defender on our list.
He captained Argentina to its first World Cup title in 1978.
Passarella was just 25 when he lifted the trophy.
His leadership was one part of his value.
He was also an unusual goalscoring defender.
Passarella attacked set pieces well and took penalties and free kicks. His technical level allowed him to contribute far more than a traditional center-back.
He was also part of Argentina’s 1986 World Cup squad, although illness kept him from playing during the tournament.
At club level, he became a River Plate legend and later played successfully in Italy.
Passarella’s aggressive defending, leadership and scoring ability made him one of South America’s great defenders.
Why Passarella ranks No. 5: Captaining Argentina to its first World Cup while performing at an elite level as a defender gives him a special place in national football history.
6. Gabriel Batistuta
Position: Striker
Argentina Career: 1991-2002
Argentina Goals: 56
Gabriel Batistuta was one of the most feared strikers of the 1990s.
He could score with either foot, attack crosses and finish from distance.
His shooting strength became one of his trademarks.
Batistuta scored 56 goals for Argentina, a huge total for an era with fewer international matches than modern players often receive.
His World Cup record was especially strong.
Batistuta scored 10 World Cup goals for Argentina. Lionel Messi later passed that total.
Batistuta also became the first player to score hat-tricks at two different World Cups.
He helped Argentina win the Copa América in 1991 and 1993.
At club level, he became a hero at Fiorentina despite spending many years outside Italy’s strongest title-winning sides.
He later won Serie A with Roma.
Batistuta never won the World Cup, which hurts his case against players above him.
His quality as a pure striker still gives him a clear Top 10 place.
Why Batistuta ranks No. 6: His 56 international goals, major Copa América success and status as one of his generation’s best strikers make his case very strong.
7. Ángel Di María
Position: Winger / Attacking Midfielder
Argentina Career: 2008-2024
Argentina Appearances: 145
Argentina Goals: 31
Ángel Di María became known as Argentina’s man for major finals.
His overall career was excellent, but his biggest goals are what separate him.
Di María scored the winner in the 2021 Copa América final against Brazil.
That victory ended Argentina’s long wait for a senior international trophy.
He then scored against France in the 2022 World Cup final as Argentina became world champions.
Di María also won the 2024 Copa América before retiring from international football.
Earlier in his career, he scored the winning goal in the 2008 Olympic final.
CONMEBOL lists his final Argentina record at 145 appearances, 31 goals and 32 assists.
His club career also included major success with Benfica, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and other teams.
He won the Champions League with Real Madrid in 2014 and was named player of the match in the final.
Di María was rarely the biggest star in teams containing Messi and other famous names.
Yet he repeatedly delivered when trophies were on the line.
Why Di María ranks No. 7: His major-final performances, World Cup title, two Copa América wins and strong European club career give him an exceptional résumé.
8. Juan Román Riquelme
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Argentina Career: 1997-2008
Juan Román Riquelme represented a classic type of Argentine No. 10.
He did not depend on extreme speed.
Instead, he controlled matches with positioning, close control, vision and passing.
Riquelme could slow a match down and then change it with one pass.
His greatest club legacy came with Boca Juniors.
He became a central figure during one of the club’s most successful periods and produced major performances in the Copa Libertadores.
Riquelme also enjoyed an excellent spell with Villarreal in Spain.
He helped the club reach the 2006 Champions League semifinal.
For Argentina, he played at the 2006 World Cup and was one of the team’s main creators.
His national career ended earlier than many expected.
That limits his position compared with Di María or Batistuta.
Still, his technical level and influence on games make him one of Argentina’s great playmakers.
Why Riquelme ranks No. 8: His vision, control and status as one of Argentina’s defining No. 10s earn him a place among the country’s greatest players.
9. Javier Zanetti
Position: Right-Back / Midfielder
Argentina Career: 1994-2011
Javier Zanetti built his career on consistency.
He could play at right-back, left-back or in midfield and maintained an elite level for almost two decades.
Zanetti became one of Inter Milan’s greatest players.
He made 858 appearances for the club, more than any other player in Inter history.
He also spent 13 years as captain.
Zanetti won 16 trophies with Inter, including five Serie A titles, the UEFA Cup and the Champions League.
The 2009-10 season was especially important.
As captain, he helped Inter win Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League.
His Argentina career did not bring the same trophy success.
He played more than 140 matches for his country but was surprisingly left out of some World Cup squads during his prime.
That international gap keeps him lower than his club career alone would suggest.
Why Zanetti ranks No. 9: His exceptional longevity, versatility, leadership and record-breaking Inter career make him one of Argentina’s most complete professionals.
10. Sergio Agüero
Position: Striker
Argentina Career: 2006-2021
Argentina Goals: 41
Sergio Agüero takes the final place in our Top 10.
His strongest case comes from club football.
Agüero became Manchester City’s record goalscorer and one of the best strikers in Premier League history.
His most famous goal came against Queens Park Rangers in 2012.
That late winner gave Manchester City its first Premier League title.
Agüero eventually won five Premier League titles with the club.
His Argentina career was more mixed.
He scored 41 international goals and played in several major tournaments. However, he rarely had the same influence for Argentina that he showed at Manchester City.
Agüero finally won a senior international trophy when Argentina lifted the Copa América in 2021.
His career ended earlier than expected because of a heart condition.
Why Agüero ranks No. 10: His exceptional Manchester City career, scoring record and 41 Argentina goals give him the final place ahead of several strong candidates.
Full Ranking of the Greatest Argentine Footballers Ever
| Rank | Player | Main Strength | Main Reason for Ranking |
| 1 | Lionel Messi | Complete attacking game | World Cup, 8 Ballon d’Or awards and elite longevity |
| 2 | Diego Maradona | Match control and dribbling | Historic 1986 World Cup |
| 3 | Alfredo Di Stéfano | Complete forward play | 5 European Cups and 2 Ballon d’Or awards |
| 4 | Mario Kempes | Goals and direct attacking | Led Argentina to 1978 World Cup |
| 5 | Daniel Passarella | Defending and leadership | Captained Argentina to first World Cup |
| 6 | Gabriel Batistuta | Finishing | 56 Argentina goals and elite striker career |
| 7 | Ángel Di María | Big-game impact | Scored in major finals during Argentina’s trophy run |
| 8 | Juan Román Riquelme | Playmaking | One of Argentina’s great No. 10s |
| 9 | Javier Zanetti | Longevity and versatility | Inter record holder and Champions League-winning captain |
| 10 | Sergio Agüero | Goalscoring | Manchester City record scorer |
Who Is the Greatest Argentine Football Player of All Time?
Lionel Messi is the greatest Argentine football player of all time in our ranking.
Diego Maradona held the strongest claim for decades.
His 1986 World Cup was so impressive that many fans still place him first.
Messi eventually built a stronger total career.
He won eight Ballon d’Or awards, four Champions League titles with Barcelona, the 2022 World Cup and two Copa América titles.
His international career also ended with 125 goals in 207 appearances.
Messi led Argentina to three World Cup finals: 2014, 2022 and 2026.
The 2022 victory removed the biggest argument that had once been used against him.
Maradona may still have the stronger single World Cup campaign.
Across an entire career, though, Messi takes first place.
Messi vs Maradona: Who Was Better?
This is the biggest debate in Argentine football history.
Maradona’s strongest argument is peak international influence.
At the 1986 World Cup, he scored five goals and created five more. FIFA records show that he was directly involved in 10 of Argentina’s 14 goals at the tournament.
Argentina won the trophy, and Maradona received the Golden Ball.
Messi’s advantage is career length and total output.
He remained among football’s elite players for far longer.
Messi also won more major individual awards and had the stronger overall club career.
His international record eventually included a World Cup and two Copa América titles.
Our ranking therefore places:
1. Lionel Messi
2. Diego Maradona
The difference is small if the comparison focuses on peak ability.
It becomes clearer when the full career is considered.
Why Is Alfredo Di Stéfano Included?
Alfredo Di Stéfano was born in Buenos Aires.
He began his senior career in Argentina and represented the Argentina national team before later playing for Spain.
This page ranks players based on Argentine nationality and their complete football careers.
For that reason, excluding Di Stéfano would leave out one of the greatest Argentine-born footballers ever.
However, his limited Argentina international career affects his position.
That is why we rank him behind Messi and Maradona.
Messi vs Di Stéfano: Who Had the Better Club Career?
Both belong among the greatest club footballers ever.
Di Stéfano led Real Madrid to five straight European Cup victories and helped build the club’s global status.
Messi produced more individual records.
He became Barcelona’s record goalscorer and won 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies.
Messi also won eight Ballon d’Or awards compared with Di Stéfano’s two.
Di Stéfano’s influence on Real Madrid was historic.
Still, Messi’s combination of scoring, creativity, longevity and individual honours gives him the stronger overall club career in our ranking.
Maradona vs Kempes: Who Had the Better World Cup?
Both produced legendary World Cup performances.
Kempes scored six goals in 1978 and won both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball as Argentina claimed its first title.
Maradona scored five goals in 1986 and created five more.
He also won the Golden Ball.
Kempes was outstanding.
However, Maradona influenced almost every part of Argentina’s attack in 1986.
For that reason, we rate Maradona’s tournament slightly higher.
Who Was Argentina’s Best Striker?
If Messi is treated as a forward and playmaker rather than a traditional striker, the debate becomes very close.
Gabriel Batistuta was one of Argentina’s greatest pure No. 9s.
He scored 56 international goals and 10 World Cup goals.
Mario Kempes has the stronger World Cup achievement because he led Argentina to the 1978 title.
Sergio Agüero had the strongest long-term Premier League career among the three.
For pure center-forward ability, Batistuta has one of the strongest cases.
Great Argentine Players Who Missed the Top 10
Argentina has enough great players to make the final places difficult.
Several legends came very close.
Ubaldo Fillol
Ubaldo Fillol was the goalkeeper for Argentina’s 1978 World Cup-winning team.
His saves were vital during the tournament.
He is widely regarded as one of Argentina’s greatest goalkeepers and was very close to our tenth position.
Javier Mascherano
Javier Mascherano was a major leader during Messi’s Argentina era.
He played as a defensive midfielder and center-back and reached the 2014 World Cup final.
At club level, he won major trophies with Barcelona, including the Champions League.
Jorge Burruchaga
Jorge Burruchaga scored the winning goal in the 1986 World Cup final against West Germany.
He played a major supporting role alongside Maradona during that tournament.
Guillermo Stábile
Guillermo Stábile was one of Argentina’s earliest World Cup stars.
He scored eight goals at the first World Cup in 1930 and finished as the tournament’s leading scorer.
Hernán Crespo
Hernán Crespo was one of Argentina’s leading strikers during the late 1990s and 2000s.
He built a strong scoring career in Serie A and scored more than 30 goals for Argentina.
Which Generation Produced Argentina’s Best Players?
Argentina has produced several great generations.
The 1978 group contained Mario Kempes, Daniel Passarella, Ubaldo Fillol and Osvaldo Ardiles.
The 1986 team was built around Diego Maradona and also included Jorge Valdano, Jorge Burruchaga and Oscar Ruggeri.
The modern era may have the deepest collection of major international results.
Lionel Messi, Ángel Di María and their teammates won the 2021 Copa América, 2022 World Cup, 2024 Copa América and reached the 2026 World Cup final.
That run turned a generation once known for painful final defeats into one of Argentina’s most successful groups.
How Many World Cups Has Argentina Won?
Argentina has won the men’s FIFA World Cup three times.
The titles came in:
- 1978
- 1986
- 2022
Argentina also reached the final in 1930, 1990, 2014 and 2026.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the 2026 final.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best Argentine football player of all time?
Lionel Messi ranks as the best Argentine football player of all time. He won the 2022 World Cup, two Copa América titles and eight Ballon d’Or awards while building one of football’s greatest club careers.
Who are the Top 5 Argentine football players ever?
Our Top 5 are Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Mario Kempes and Daniel Passarella.
Is Messi better than Maradona?
We rank Messi slightly above Maradona because of his longer elite career, club achievements, eight Ballon d’Or awards and international success. Maradona’s 1986 World Cup remains one of the strongest individual tournament performances ever.
How many goals did Lionel Messi score for Argentina?
Messi ended his international career in 2026 with 125 goals in 207 appearances. He is Argentina’s record goalscorer and record appearance holder.
Did Messi retire from Argentina?
Yes. Messi announced his retirement from international football on August 31, 2026, after Argentina reached the 2026 World Cup final.
Who is Argentina’s second-best player of all time?
Diego Maradona ranks second on our list. He led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup and won the tournament’s Golden Ball.
Was Alfredo Di Stéfano Argentine?
Yes. Alfredo Di Stéfano was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He represented Argentina early in his international career before later playing for Spain.
Who was Argentina’s best player at the 1978 World Cup?
Mario Kempes was Argentina’s leading player in 1978. He scored six goals and won both the World Cup Golden Boot and Golden Ball.
Who scored the most World Cup goals for Argentina?
Lionel Messi holds Argentina’s World Cup scoring record. Gabriel Batistuta previously held the record with 10 goals before Messi passed him in 2022.
Who is the greatest Argentine striker ever?
Gabriel Batistuta has one of the strongest cases among traditional center-forwards. Mario Kempes and Sergio Agüero are also major candidates, while Messi played a broader attacking role.
Why is Ángel Di María one of Argentina’s greatest players?
Di María delivered in major finals. He scored the winner in the 2021 Copa América final and scored in the 2022 World Cup final. He also won the 2024 Copa América before retiring from international football.
Conclusion
In short, Lionel Messi ranks first among the best Argentine football players of all time, with Diego Maradona close behind. Our ranking is based on verified career records, peak performance, international impact, club success, individual honours, longevity and historical influence rather than reputation alone. Alfredo Di Stéfano, Mario Kempes, Daniel Passarella, Gabriel Batistuta, Ángel Di María, Juan Román Riquelme, Javier Zanetti and Sergio Agüero complete a Top 10 that shows why Argentina has produced elite players across many generations.
