Argentina has produced most of the best footballers of all time.
Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and Alfredo Di Stéfano are among the many all-time greats to emerge from the South American nation.
It’s typically stated that when gamers develop up taking part in on the road in Argentina, it isn’t soccer, however jugar a la pelota (“taking part in with the ball”).
In soccer phrases, the nation is finest recognized for aptitude gamers, dribblers, magicians. Defenders? Not a lot. However Argentina has additionally been blessed with some top-class defensive gamers over time. Right here, a take a look at a few of the easiest…
33. Ezequiel Garay
Ezequiel Garay received 32 caps for Argentina between 2007 and 2015 and was within the crew edged out by Germany in further time within the 2014 World Cup remaining.
Additionally a Copa América runner-up in 2015, the centre-back was extra profitable at youth stage, successful the Underneath-20 World Cup with Argentina in 2005 and Olympic gold with the U-23 facet on the 2008 Video games. He additionally had a powerful membership profession, successful trophies at Newell’s, Benfica, Zenit Saint-Petersburg, Valencia and Actual Madrid.
32. Ricardo Altamirano
The most effective Argentine defenders of his technology, Ricardo Altamirano performed as a left-back within the Nineteen Eighties and Nineteen Nineties.
The most effective options, enjoyable and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox each week.
A two-time Copa América winner with the Albiceleste in 1991 and 1993, Altamirano additionally helped River Plate to a collection of titles in his 5 years with the Buenos Aires giants – together with the Copa Libertadores in 1996.
31. Fabián Basualdo
Fabián Basualdo was Argentina’s right-back for a quick however profitable interval between 1991 and 1993, that includes in two Copa América triumphs and a King Fahd Cup (which was the precursor to the Confederations Cup) success for the Albiceleste.
Basualdo remodeled 300 appearances for Newell’s Outdated Boys and later performed for River Plate, choosing up Primera División titles with each golf equipment. The defender was additionally a helpful goalkeeper and was known as upon thrice to play between the sticks throughout his time at River.
30. Gonzalo Montiel
An Argentine worldwide since 2019, Gonzalo Montiel loved large success at River Plate earlier than shifting to Sevilla in 2021.
A Copa Libertadores and Europa League winner at membership stage, Montiel began at left-back within the 2021 and 2024 Copa América remaining victories for Argentina and got here off the bench late in further time because the Albiceleste beat France on penalties to say the World Cup for a 3rd time in 2022.
29. Nicolás Burdisso
Nicolás Burdisso received near 50 caps for Argentina between 2003 and 2011 and loved massively profitable spells at each Boca Juniors and Inter at membership stage.
A 3-time Copa Libertadores winner and twice Intercontinental Cup champion with Boca, the centre-back helped Inter to 4 Serie A titles and in addition had spells at Roma, Genoa and Torino. With Argentina, the defender was a Copa América finalist in 2007, however received the Underneath-20 World Cup in 2001 and helped the U-23 facet to Olympic gold as an overage participant in 2008.
28. Marcos Acuña
Marcos Acuña made his worldwide debut in 2016 and has been a part of the nationwide crew’s latest success below Lionel Scaolini.
The previous Sevilla and Sporting CP left-back has over 60 caps for Argentina. A starter within the 2021 and 2024 Copa América finals, he additionally got here off the bench within the second half of Argentina’s win on penalties within the World Cup remaining in 2022.
27. Martín Demichelis
Martín Demichelis received 51 caps for Argentina between 2005 and 2016, narrowly lacking out on a number of trophies in that point.
A World Cup finalist in 2014, Demichelis was additionally a Copa América runner-up in 2015 and misplaced out to Brazil within the Confederations Cup showpiece a decade earlier. A centre-back who might additionally play as a defensive midfielder, Demichelis loved extra success at membership stage, successful loads of silverware at River Plate, Bayern Munich and Manchester Metropolis.
26. José Chamot
José Chamot received 43 caps for Argentina and represented the Albiceleste within the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cups.
A left-back who might additionally function on the appropriate and sometimes featured in central defence, Chamot got here via the youth ranks at Rosario Central and later had spells at Lazio, Atlético Madrid and AC Milan.
25. Marcos Rojo
Marcos Rojo received 61 caps for Argentina between 2011 and 2019 and was a part of a technology of gamers that got here near silverware, solely to overlook out on the remaining hurdle on a number of events.
The previous Manchester United defender impressed as Argentina reached the 2014 World Cup remaining, scoring a winner in opposition to Nigeria within the group levels. Runner-up within the Copa América in 2015, he was despatched off within the remaining of the Copa América Centenario a yr later as Argentina misplaced to Chile on penalties once more.
24. Walter Samuel
A rugged and bodily imposing centre-back, Walter Samuel received 56 caps for Argentina and was an Underneath-20 World Cup winner with the Albiceleste in 1997.
In a profitable membership profession, Samuel received a Copa Libertadores with Boca Juniors, helped Roma to a Serie A title and received the treble in a trophy-laden spell at Inter. He additionally spent a season at Actual Madrid and was a member of Lionel’s Scaloni’s employees on the 2022 World Cup.
23. Pablo Zabaleta
Pablo Zabaleta received over 50 caps for Argentina and was a part of the crew which reached the World Cup remaining in 2014.
The favored right-back spent 9 seasons at Manchester Metropolis, serving to the Sky Blues win two Premier League titles and an FA Cup. He additionally received a gold medal with Argentina’s Underneath-23 facet in on the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
22. Roberto Sensini
Roberto Sensini was a flexible operator who might play throughout a wide range of defensive positions – at centre-back, full-back and even as a defensive midfielder.
Sensini received 60 caps for Argentina and was a World Cup finalist in 1990. After beginning out at Newell’s Outdated Boys, he spent most of his profession in Italy with Udinese, Parma (two spells every) and Lazio.
21. Juan Simón
The most effective Argentine defenders of his technology, Juan Simón was a chic sweeper who had lengthy spells with Newell’s Outdated Boys and Boca Juniors, plus stints in France with Monaco and Strasbourg.
Simón was a part of the Argentine facet which received the Underneath-20 World Cup in 1979 and featured for the Albiceleste of their run to the World Cup remaining at Italia 90.
20. Nahuel Molina
Nahuel Molina began for Argentina in six of their seven matches on the 2022 World Cup, together with the ultimate, because the Albiceleste claimed the trophy in Qatar.
The proper-back scored his first worldwide aim within the quarter-final in opposition to the Netherlands and was a part of the squads which received the Copa América in 2021 and 2024.
19. Lisandro Martínez
A priceless member of Lionel Scaloni’s squad in a profitable period for Argentina’s nationwide crew, Lisandro Martínez was on the bench for the 2021 Copa América and 2022 World Cup finals.
However the former Ajax centre-back was within the crew for the 2024 Copa América remaining as Argentina beat Colombia to take the trophy and scored an important aim in opposition to Ecuador within the quarter-finals because the Albiceleste went via on penalties.
18. Cristián Romero
Fiercely aggressive and at all times dedicated, Cristián Romero has been a key a part of Argentina’s success since 2021, that includes within the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles and in addition the 2022 World Cup win.
A risk at set items along with his aerial means, Romero likes to get ahead and is thought to be one thing of a threat taker. He began six out of seven matches at Qatar 2022.
17. Nicolás Tagliafico
Nicolás Tagliafico made his Argentina debut in 2017 and the hard-working left-back has been a dependable performer in a profitable interval for the Albiceleste.
The previous Ajax defender began for Lionel Scaloni’s facet within the World Cup remaining win over France in 2022 and in addition within the 2024 Copa América triumph versus Colombia.
16. Gabriel Heinze
Gabriel Heinze performed 72 occasions for Argentina and represented his nationwide crew at two World Cups and in two Copa América campaigns.
The previous Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Actual Madrid defender was a fiercely aggressive left-back who might additionally function in central defence. A two-time Copa América runner-up, he was a part of Argentina’s gold medal-winning facet on the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
15. José Salomón
José Salomón performed 44 occasions for Argentina and would possible have received many extra caps, however the centre-back’s top-level profession ended following a sort out by Brazil’s Jair in 1946 which left him with a damaged fibula and tibia and sparked a riot.
A former Argentina captain, Salomón was a key participant within the groups which received the continental competitors in 1941 and 1945. At membership stage, he’s finest remembered for a seven-year spell at Racing.
14. Silvio Marzolini
Silvio Marzolini performed for Argentina on the 1966 World Cup and the left-back was named within the crew of the event.
Thought-about among the best Argentine full-backs of all time, Marzolini was picked by Sir Bobby Charlton for his all-time XI in an interview with FourFourTwo in 2007. He spent most of his membership profession at Boca Juniors, successful a collection of titles with the Buenos Aires giants within the Nineteen Sixties.
13. Juan Pablo Sorín
Like so many nice Argentine gamers, Juan Pablo Sorín was a product of the Argentinos Juniors academy and the marauding left-back was one of many nationwide crew’s most emblematic gamers within the late Nineteen Nineties and early 2000s.
A left-back, wing-back or midfielder, Sorín received 75 caps for Argentina and scored 11 objectives. At membership stage, he’s finest remembered for his time at River Plate, Cruzeiro and Villarreal, but in addition had quick spells at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Lazio. He received the Underneath-20 World Cup with Argentina in 1995.
12. José Luis Cuciuffo
José Luis Cuciuffo was a part of Carlos Bilardo’s three-man again line for Argentina on the 1986 World Cup alongside Oscar Ruggeri and José Luis Brown. He received 21 caps in complete.
The centre-back had spells at Vélez Sarsfield and Boca Juniors in his homeland, earlier than spending three years in France with Nîmes Olympique. Fatally shot in a looking accident in 2004, he was the primary member of Argentina’s 1986 facet to move away.
11. Jorge Olguín
A centre-back in his membership profession, Jorge Olguín performed largely as a right-back for Argentina and was a part of the crew which received the World Cup in 1978.
Olguín had lengthy spells at San Lorenzo, Independiente and Argentinos Juniors, successful the Copa Libertadores with the latter in 1985. He received 60 caps for Argentina between 1976 and 1982.
10. Luis Galván
Luis Galván partnered Daniel Passarella in central defence for Argentina of their 1978 World Cup win and in addition featured within the 1982 event.
Galván made his debut in 1975 after coach César Luis Menotti determined to present an opportunity to gamers from Argentina’s inside and went on to turn out to be a key member of the squads on the subsequent two World Cups, incomes reward for his efficiency within the 1978 remaining and successful over 30 caps in complete.
9. Roberto Perfumo
A chic central defender who began his profession as a midfielder, Roberto Perfumo performed for Argentina in th 1966 and 1974 World Cups, successful 37 caps in complete.
The centre-back was additionally a key member of the nice Racing Membership facet of the Nineteen Sixties, claiming two Primera División titles, a Copa Libertadores and an Intercontinental Cup. Later, he had profitable spells with Cruzeiro and River Plate.
8. Nicolás Otamendi
A part of a technology of gamers which skilled a collection of close to misses at worldwide stage, Nicolás Otamendi loved success with Argentina later in his profession.
The previous Manchester Metropolis centre-back has received over 100 caps for the Albiceleste and was a key participant within the 2022 World Cup win, in addition to the 2021 and 2024 Copa América triumphs.
7. Alberto Tarantini
An emblematic left-back for Argentina within the Nineteen Seventies and early Nineteen Eighties, Alberto Tarantini was a part of the nation’s World Cup-winning crew on residence soil in 1978 and was named within the event’s All-Star XI.
Tarantini additionally received a Copa Libertadores with Boca Juniors in 1977 and briefly performed for Birmingham Metropolis earlier than returning to Argentina with Talleres and River Plate. He retired from Argentina responsibility after the 1982 World Cup.
6. Rafael Albrecht
Rafael Albrecht performed for Argentina within the 1962 and 1966 World Cups and received a nationwide championship with San Lorenzo, earlier than spells in Mexico with Membership León and Atlas.
A penalty specialist who would watch for the goalkeeper to commit earlier than deciding the place to shoot, Albrecht scored 95 profession objectives, making him one of many highest-scoring defenders in historical past.
5. José Luis Brown
And not using a membership on the time, José Luis Brown was a shock inclusion in Argentina’s 1986 World Cup squad and ended up within the crew after Daniel Passarella was dominated out on account of a bout of enterocolitis in Mexico.
Brown turned a hero as he scored his solely worldwide aim within the remaining with a header in opposition to West Germany and refused to be substituted late within the sport after dislocating his shoulder, making a gap in his shirt to help his arm amid the ache.
4. Roberto Ayala
Sturdy within the air and a tenacious tackler, Roberto Ayala received over 100 caps for Argentina between 1994 and 2007 and is considered one of many nation’s best-ever defenders.
A former Argentina captain, Ayala completed as runner-up within the 2004 and 2007 Copa América campaigns, however skippered the Underneath-23 facet to Olympic gold as an overage participant in 2004. In seven seasonns at Valencia, he received two La Liga titles and a UEFA Cup, ending as a runner-up within the 2001 Champions League. He additionally had spells at River Plate, Napoli and AC Milan, amongst others.
3. Oscar Ruggeri
A no-nonsense centre-back who received near 100 caps for Argentina, Oscar Ruggeri is taken into account one of many nation’s biggest defenders of all time.
Ruggeri was a key member of the Argentina groups which received the 1986 World Cup and completed as runners-up 4 years later, whereas additionally that includes within the Copa América triumphs in 1991 and 1993. At membership stage, the centre-back began out at Boca Juniors earlier than controversially shifting to River Plate. He additionally spent a season at Actual Madrid and was named South American Footballer of the Yr in 1991.
2. Javier Zanetti
Javier Zanetti received 145 caps for Argentina between 1994 and 2011 and the previous Inter favorite is taken into account among the best right-backs of all time.
Nicknamed El Tractor on account of his stamina and tireless runs up and down the flank, Zanetti might additionally play in midfield. A former Argentina captain, he performed in two World Cups, however was surprisingly omitted of the 2006 and 2010 squads. At membership stage, Zanetti remodeled 850 appearances for Inter after quick spells with Talleres and Banfield and was a key member of the treble-winning crew below José Mourinho in 2009/2010.
1. Daniel Passarella
The primary Argentine to get his palms on a World Cup trophy and the one Argentine to win it twice, Daniel Passarella is among the many biggest defenders of all time.
Passarrella performed as a centre-back or sweeper for River Plate, Fiorentina and Inter. A commanding presence on the again, he learn the sport fantastically and was additionally a prolific scorer, netting over 130 profession objectives. Argentina’s captain on the 1978 World Cup, he was a member of the 1986 squad however didn’t play a single minute after affected by a bout of enterocolitis in Mexico.