Top 5 best Argentina players of all time: Messi vs Maradona - Who comes out on top?

Football is inseparable from Argentina, a nation defined by passion and pride for the game. With three FIFA World Cup titles and a record 16 Copa América triumphs, Argentina firmly belong among the elite in international football. Over the years, the country has consistently produced players of exceptional quality.

Names like Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi are often placed at the very top of the global conversation, but Argentina’s strength has never been limited to just two icons. Generations of outstanding talents have contributed to the team’s enduring legacy.

In this article, Nowgoalmobi highlights the Top 5 best Argentina players of all time, offering a closer look at the individuals who have shaped the identity of La Albiceleste on the world stage.

Top 5 best Argentina players of all time

5. Gabriel Batistuta

With 56 goals in 78 international appearances, Gabriel Batistuta stood as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer until Lionel Messi surpassed his record in 2016. Renowned for his clinical finishing, Batistuta built his reputation on an instinctive ability to find the net, delivering consistently for both club and country.

Born in Santa Fe and developed at Newell's Old Boys, Batistuta earned admiration from fellow greats. The former Luis Suárez once told the Daily Mail in 2016, "The ultimate? Gabriel Batistuta, He was a spectacular No. 9, great at finding space, shooting from outside the box, good in the air. He was always a reference for me."

On the international stage, Batistuta played a key role in Argentina’s Copa América triumphs, finishing as top scorer in 1991 and scoring both goals in a 2-1 win over Mexico in the 1993 final. At club level, he is most closely associated with his time in Italy, particularly with Fiorentina, where he remains the club’s all-time leading scorer.

4. Daniel Passarella

Daniel Passarella holds a unique place in Argentina’s history as the first captain to lift the World Cup and remains the only player from the country to have won the tournament twice. He led the national team with authority during their triumphant 1978 campaign, setting the standard as an inspirational figure at the heart of the defense.

Despite being a defender, Passarella combined aggressive, no-nonsense tackling with remarkable goalscoring instincts. He scored 144 goals in 447 club appearances and added 22 more in 70 caps for Argentina, bringing his career tally to an extraordinary 175 goals. For many years, that record stood as the benchmark for defenders until it was eventually surpassed by Ronald Koeman.

At club level, Passarella enjoyed a long and successful spell with River Plate before moving to Europe, where he played for Fiorentina and Inter Milan. Standing at just 5’8”, he defied expectations with his dominance in the air, while also posing a constant threat from set pieces thanks to his proficiency in free-kicks and penalties.

3. Mario Kempes

Mario Kempes featured in three World Cups for Argentina, but his legacy is firmly tied to the 1978 tournament, where he played a decisive role in securing the nation’s first title. Known as “El Matador”, the forward achieved a rare feat by winning the World Cup, the Golden Boot, and the Golden Ball in the same year, a distinction he shares only with Garrincha in 1962 and Paolo Rossi in 1982.

At club level, Kempes is most closely associated with his spell at Valencia, where he played from 1976 to 1981 and later returned between 1982 and 1984. During his time in Spain, he claimed the Pichichi Trophy as La Liga’s top scorer in both 1977 and 1978.

However, it was on the international stage where Kempes truly made his mark. He scored 20 goals in 43 appearances for Argentina, with six coming at the 1978 World Cup, including a decisive brace in the final that sealed a historic victory.

2. Diego Maradona

Despite a career and personal life often marked by controversy, Diego Maradona remains widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history. Jointly named FIFA’s Player of the 20th Century, he left an enduring impact that extended far beyond the pitch, becoming a symbol of national pride in Argentina.

Maradona’s defining moment came at the 1986 World Cup, where he led Argentina to glory with a series of iconic performances. His remarkable solo goal against England is still considered one of the finest in tournament history. He finished the competition with five goals and also provided the assist for Jorge Burruchaga in the decisive goal against West Germany in the final.

At club level, Maradona achieved legendary status with Napoli, playing a central role in transforming the team into Serie A champions during the late 1980s.

1. Lionel Messi

For many, Lionel Messi stands at the pinnacle of the game, edging even Diego Maradona in both sporting achievement and conduct. Widely admired by fans, pundits and fellow professionals, Messi’s influence goes beyond numbers, with a style of play that is often described as impossible to fully explain.

His journey to international success, however, was not immediate. After winning Olympic gold with Argentina’s Under-23 side in 2008, Messi endured years of near misses before finally securing major honours with the senior team, culminating in World Cup glory in 2022.

Messi’s rise began when he left Rosario at the age of 13 to join FC Barcelona, where he built an extraordinary career.Throughout his career, he won six European Golden Shoes and a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, compiling a list of achievements that may prove difficult to surpass.

Top 5 best Argentina players of all time

5. Gabriel Batistuta

4. Daniel Passarella

3. Mario Kempes

2. Diego Maradona

1. Lionel Messi

Nowgoalmobi.net has listed the top 5 best Argentina players of all time.

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