Best Argentine Attacking Midfielders of all time: We’re continuing our article on the top 10 Argentine soccer players ever. This time, we’re focusing on the best attacking midfielders from Argentina.
Argentina is a big deal in world football, and it has produced some incredible players over the years. Icons like Maradona and Messi are always part of conversations about who the best Argentine attacking midfielders are.
Best Argentine Attacking Midfielders of all time
So, here’s our list of the 10 best Argentine attacking midfielders of all time.
10. Omar Sivori
- Date of Birth: 2 October 1935
- Height: 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
- Position(s): Forward
At number 10 on our list of the “Best Argentine Attacking Midfielders of All Time” is Omar Sivori. He was an amazing dribbler and a strong attacker, although not the fastest player. What set him apart was his incredible ball control. He was a genius at dribbling, feinting, and especially the short bridge move, which often left defenders embarrassed. He deserves recognition among the best Argentine players ever.
Sivori started his career with River Plate, winning the championship three times in four seasons. He later moved to Juventus Turin, where he showcased his talent in Europe. With Juventus, he won several titles, including three Serie A championships and three Italian Cups.
Despite having limited appearances for the Argentine national team, playing only 19 matches between 1956 and 1957 and scoring 9 goals, Sivori contributed to Argentina winning the Copa América in 1957. In 1961, he became a naturalized Italian citizen and chose to represent Italy in international competitions.
Stats With Argentina:
| Career | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1956–1957 | 19 | 9 |
Honours With Argentina:
- South American Championship: 1x 1957
- Panamerican Championship runner-up: 1x 1956
- Copa Raúl Colombo (friendly): 1x 1956
9. Pablo Aimar
- Date of Birth: 3 November 1979
- Height: 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
- Position(s): Attacking midfielder
In the 9th spot among the “Best Argentine Attacking Midfielders of All Time,” we have Pablo Aimar. He played as an attacking midfielder and began his professional career with River Plate in 1996.
Aimar had successful stints in La Liga, playing a total of 215 games and scoring 32 goals during eight seasons with Valencia and Real Zaragoza from 2001 to 2008. Afterward, he spent five years in Portugal with Benfica, where he contributed to winning nine major titles across the three teams.
Aimar represented Argentina on the international stage, earning 52 caps over ten years. He played in two FIFA World Cups, two Copa América tournaments, and a FIFA Confederations Cup. Notably, Aimar reached the final of the 2005 Confederations Cup and the 2007 Copa América while playing for the Argentine national team.
Stats With Argentina:
| Career | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1999–2009 | 52 | 8 |
Honours With Argentina:
- FIFA Confederations Cup: 1x Runner-up 2005
- Copa América: 1x Runner-up 2007
8. Maxi Rodríguez
- Date of Birth: 2 January 1981
- Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
- Position(s): Winger, attacking midfielder
Taking the 8th spot among the “Best Argentine Attacking Midfielders of All Time” is Maxi Rodríguez. He was often positioned as a winger on both sides but also showcased his skills as an attacking midfielder.
Rodríguez made his mark in Spain, arriving at the age of 21. He spent the majority of his professional career there, playing for Espanyol and Atlético Madrid. During his eight seasons in La Liga, he participated in 232 matches and scored 58 goals.
Maxi also had a stint in England, spending two years with Liverpool. Interestingly, he started and concluded his career with Newell’s Old Boys.
Maxi Rodríguez represented Argentina for 11 years. He played in three World Cups, achieving a runner-up finish in 2014, and earned a total of 57 caps for his national team.
Stats With Argentina:
| Career | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2003–2014 | 57 | 16 |
Honours With Argentina:
- FIFA World Cup runner-up: 1x 2014
- FIFA Confederations Cup runner-up: 1x 2005
7. Jorge Burruchaga
- Date of Birth: 9 October 1962
- Height: 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
- Position(s): Attacking midfielder, Second striker
Securing the 7th position among the “Best Argentine Attacking Midfielders of All Time” is Jorge Burruchaga. He played a crucial role in the Argentina squad that clinched the 1986 FIFA World Cup title, notably scoring two goals. One of these goals was the decisive one in the final against West Germany, securing Argentina’s victory.
Burruchaga continued to contribute to the national team, participating in all matches for Argentina during the 1990 FIFA World Cup and scoring one goal in the tournament. Throughout his international career spanning from 1983 to 1990, he netted a total of 13 goals in 59 games for Argentina.
His impactful performances on the world stage solidify his place among the best Argentine attacking midfielders.
Stats With Argentina:
| Career | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1983–1990 | 59 | 13 |
Honours With Argentina:
- FIFA World Cup: 1986; runner-up: 1x 1990
6. Carlos Tevez
- Date of Birth: 5 February 1984
- Height: 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)
- Position(s): Forward
Securing the 6th spot among the “Best Argentine Attacking Midfielders of All Time” is Carlos Tevez. Until July 2021, he was under contract with Boca Juniors, primarily playing as a center forward and hanging striker. Tevez earned the title of South American Footballer of the Year three times in 2003, 2004, and 2005.
Notably, Tevez holds the unique distinction of being the only football player to achieve both championship and Footballer of the Year honors in Brazil, accomplishing this feat with Corinthians São Paulo. His success extends to the international stage, where he won the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in the Olympic football tournament. Tevez also received individual recognition with the 2003 Copa Libertadores and the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League.
His club achievements include victories with Manchester City, Manchester United, Juventus Turin, and Boca Juniors, earning championships in England, Italy, and Argentina. Beyond his playing career, Tevez transitioned into coaching, taking on the role of managing the Argentine club CA Independiente since 2022.
Stats With Argentina:
| Career | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2004–2015 | 76 | 13 |
Honours With Argentina:
- Copa América runner-up: 3x 2004, 2007, 2015
- FIFA Confederations Cup Runner-up: 1x 2005
5. Ariel Ortega
- Date of Birth: 4 March 1974
- Height: 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
- Position(s): Attacking midfielder, winger
Taking the 5th spot among the “Best Argentine Attacking Midfielders of All Time” is Ariel Ortega, affectionately known as “El Burrito” (The Little Donkey).
Ortega represented his country in the 1994, 1998, and 2002 World Cups. He was a crucial member of the team that secured a silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics. Ortega’s versatility and contributions on the international stage cement his place among the best Argentine attacking midfielders. Notably, he even played in the Intertoto Cup against KRC Harelbeke in 1998.
Stats With Argentina:
| Career | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1993–2010 | 88 | 17 |
Honours With Argentina:
- FIFA Confederations Cup runner-up: 1x 1995
4. Mario Kempes
- Date of Birth: 15 July 1954
- Height: 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
- Position(s): Striker, attacking midfielder
Number 4 on the list of the “Best Argentine Attacking Midfielders of all time” is Mario Kempes. Before Maradona, he amazed the Argentine public with his talent and many goals. Kempes was a very effective striker during his time.
He played for several clubs in his career, with notable stints at Rosario Central, River Plate, and Valencia. He was the top scorer in the Argentine championship twice with Rosario Central before joining Valencia in Spain. At Valencia, he became the top scorer twice and won the Spanish Cup, the European Cup Winners’ Cup, and the European Super Cup.
Mario Kempes is a legend of the Argentina national team. In 1978, eight years before Maradona’s success, Kempes played a crucial role in Argentina winning its first World Cup. He finished as the top scorer and was voted the best player of the tournament.
Stats With Argentina:
| Career | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1973–1982 | 43 | 20 |
Honours With Argentina:
- FIFA World Cup: 1x 1978
3. Ángel Di María
- Date of Birth: 14 February 1988
- Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
- Position(s): Winger, attacking midfielder
Ángel Di María, ranked third among the “Best Argentine Attacking Midfielders,” has left an indelible mark with his versatile skills as a right winger or attacking midfielder. Starting his career at Rosario Central, he rose to prominence at Benfica, contributing to their Primeira Liga victory and two Taça da Liga titles. His subsequent journeys through Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, and Juventus showcased his skills, marked by significant transfers and many awards, including league titles and a UEFA Champions League victory with Real Madrid.
Di María has been a key figure for Argentina since making his senior debut in 2008. His achievements include winning the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2007 and scoring the decisive goal in the 2008 Olympic Games final, securing Argentina’s second consecutive Olympic gold in football. With over 130 caps, he played crucial roles in Argentina’s World Cup campaigns, reaching the final in 2014 and winning the 2022 edition with a goal in the final. Additionally, Di María played in three Copa América finals, clinching the 2021 title and ending Argentina’s 28-year trophy drought.
Di María’s career trajectory, marked by success both domestically and internationally, solidifies his status as one of the greatest Argentine attacking midfielders in football history.
Stats With Argentina:
| Career | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2008– | 136 | 29 |
Honours With Argentina:
- FIFA World Cup: 1x 2022
- Copa América: 1x 2021
- CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions: 1x 2022
2. Diego Maradona
- Date of Birth: 30 October 1960
- Height: 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
- Position(s): Attacking midfielder, second striker
Ranked second among the “Best Argentine Attacking Midfielders of all time” is the legendary Diego Maradona, celebrated both in his home country and across Europe, especially during his iconic tenure in Naples.
Maradona was renowned for his exceptional technical skills, often regarded as one of the greatest dribblers in the history of the sport. His remarkable combination of speed, agility, and goal-scoring skills set him apart as a football virtuoso.
After achieving success in Argentina, including a championship with Boca Juniors, Maradona made a move to FC Barcelona. Despite delivering strong performances, he decided to join Napoli, where he left an indelible mark. Wearing the iconic number 10 jersey, Maradona played a crucial role in securing Napoli’s first Serie A title and their historic UEFA Cup victory, the club’s first major European trophy.
Beyond his club achievements, Maradona’s legacy is immortalized by his contributions to the Argentine national team. He led Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup, showcasing his brilliance on the global stage. Four years later, he guided Argentina to another World Cup final. Additionally, Maradona won the Intercontinental Nations Cup in 1993, and scored a total of 34 goals in 91 international appearances. His impact cements him not only as one of the best attacking midfielders but as one of the greatest footballers in history.
Stats With Argentina:
| Career | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1977–1994 | 91 | 34 |
Honours With Argentina:
- FIFA World Cup: 1x 1986
- Artemio Franchi Cup: 1x 1993
1. Lionel Messi
- Date of Birth: 24 June 1987
- Height: 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
- Position(s): Forward, attacking midfielder
The title of the “Best Argentine Attacking Midfielder of all time” goes to none other than Lionel Messi. Regarded as a football magician, Messi has left an indelible mark on a generation with his extraordinary technical skills and prolific goal-scoring. Known for his exceptional speed and keen vision on the field, he is considered one of the greatest wingers in the history of the sport. Messi excels not only as a remarkable passer but also as an outstanding scorer.
Having been groomed at FC Barcelona, Messi is a product of the Catalan training center, making his debut in 2004. In his career at Barça, he has played in 778 matches, scored 672 goals, and stands among the greatest goal-scorers in soccer history. Messi’s trophy cabinet includes an impressive array of titles with Barcelona, winning La Liga 10 times, the Copa del Rey 6 times, and the Champions League 4 times.
Messi’s record with the Argentina national team is equally remarkable. Despite initial ups and downs, he clinched his first major international title with the Copa America in 2021. After a World Cup final loss in 2014, Messi secured the coveted trophy in 2022, delivering a double in the final. Lionel Messi’s extraordinary achievements firmly establish him as one of the greatest Argentine players of all time.
Stats With Argentina:
| Career | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2005– | 180 | 106 |
Honours With Argentina:
- FIFA World Cup: 1x 2022
- Copa América: 1x 2021
- CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions: 1x 2022
