Best Argentine Strikers of all time: Argentina, known for its love of tango and soccer, has produced many amazing strikers throughout the years. These players, like Gabriel Batistuta and Sergio Agüero, have each brought their style to the game. From the skillful ball control of Batistuta to Agüero’s precise goal-scoring abilities, each era has its standout strikers.
Players like Gonzalo Higuaín and Hernán Crespo have also left their mark with unique skills, whether it’s daring dribbles or impressive aerial play. This journey explores the stories of these Argentine strikers, looking at their different styles, rivalries, and memorable moments in football history.
Get ready to enjoy the brilliance, skill, and passion of these players who have made a lasting impact on the beautiful game while proudly wearing the Celeste y Blanco stripes.
Best Argentine Strikers of all time
So, soccer fans, get ready for a fascinating exploration of Argentinean attacking artistry!
10. Lautaro Martínez
- Date of Birth: 22 August 1997
- Height: 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
- Position(s): Striker
At number 10 on our list of the “Best Argentine Strikers of All Time” is Lautaro Martínez. Known for his hard work, smart positioning, and goal-scoring ability, he began his career with Racing Club in Argentina before joining Inter in 2018.
Martínez has achieved success with Inter, winning the Serie A title. On the international stage, he played a vital role in Argentina’s victories at the 2019 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Stats With Argentina:
| Career | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2018– | 54 | 21 |
Honours With Argentina:
- FIFA World Cup: 1x 2022
- Copa América: 1x 2021
- CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions: 1x 2022
9. René Pontoni
- Date of Birth: 18 May 1920
- Position(s): Striker
Ranked at number 9 among the “Best Argentine Strikers of All Time” is René Pontoni. He began his career with Gimnasia y Esgrima de Santa Fe and later joined Newell’s Old Boys in 1940.
Pontoni made his debut for the Argentina national team in 1942 and played a crucial role, scoring 19 goals in 19 games. His contributions helped Argentina win the South American championship in 1945, 1946, and 1947.
Stats With Argentina:
| Career | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1942–1947 | 19 | 19 |
Honours With Argentina:
- Copa América: 3x 1945, 1946, 1947
8. José Sanfilippo
- Date of Birth: 4 May 1935
- Position(s): Striker
Ranked 8th among the “Best Argentine Strikers of All Time” is José Sanfilippo. He played for the Argentina national team from 1957 to 1962, scoring 21 goals in 30 appearances.
His notable tournaments include the 1958 World Championship in Sweden, where Argentina didn’t advance, and the 1962 World Cup in Chile, where he scored in a match against England. Sanfilippo’s international career concluded after the 1962 World Cup.
Stats With Argentina:
| Career | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1957–1962 | 30 | 21 |
Honours With Argentina:
- Pan American Games: 1x 1955
- Copa América: 1x 1957
7. Herminio Masantonio
- Date of Birth: 5 August 1910
- Position(s): Striker
Securing the 7th position among the “Best Argentine Strikers of All Time” is Herminio Masantonio. He spent the majority of his career with Huracán.
Masantonio is celebrated as one of Huracán’s legends, holding the title of the club’s all-time leading goal-scorer. Additionally, he ranks 3rd in the list of top scorers in the Argentine Primera División, having scored 253 goals in 358 matches. Despite his remarkable achievements, Masantonio never claimed the top scorer title in a single season, and he didn’t secure any official titles with Huracán.
Stats With Argentina:
| Career | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1935–1942 | 19 | 21 |
Honours With Argentina:
- Copa Lipton: 1x 1937
6. Leopoldo Luque
- Date of Birth: 3 May 1949
- Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Taking the 6th spot among the “Best Argentine Strikers of All Time” is Leopoldo Luque. He played a crucial role in Argentina’s 1978 World Cup victory, scoring four goals in the tournament. One standout moment was his spectacular long-distance volley against France in the first round.
Despite facing personal tragedy with the loss of his brother in a traffic accident on the day Argentina played Italy, Luque continued to contribute. In the same tournament, he suffered a serious injury to his left elbow during the match against France, causing him to miss two games. However, he returned for the final three matches, including the championship clash against the Netherlands.
Stats With Argentina:
| Career | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1975–1981 | 44 | 22 |
Honours With Argentina:
- FIFA World Cup: 1x 1978
5. Luis Artime
- Date of Birth: 2 December 1938
- Height: 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Securing the 5th position among the “Best Argentine Strikers of All Time” is Luis Artime. Notably playing for the Argentina national football team, Artime achieved a remarkable record, scoring 24 goals in 25 caps. This makes him Argentina’s 8th highest goalscorer to date.
His outstanding strike rate of 0.96 goals per game for Argentina solidifies his status as one of the most prolific goalscorers in Argentine international football. Artime showcased his talent on the global stage by participating in the 1966 FIFA World Cup. Additionally, he was the top goalscorer at the South American Championship in 1967.
Stats With Argentina:
| Career | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1961–1967 | 25 | 24 |
Honours With Argentina:
- Taça das Nações: 1x 1964
4. Gonzalo Higuaín
- Date of Birth: 10 December 1987
- Height: 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Ranked 4th among the “Best Argentine Strikers of All Time” is Gonzalo Higuaín, nicknamed El Pipita or Pipa. Known for his prolific goal-scoring, strength, and precision, Higuaín won six European league titles with La Liga and Serie A clubs.
His €90 million transfer to Juventus in 2016 set a record for an Italian club. Higuaín had successful stints at AC Milan and Chelsea before retiring with Inter Miami in 2022. He earned 75 caps for Argentina, contributing to their World Cup and Copa América campaigns.
Stats With Argentina:
| Career | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2009–2018 | 75 | 31 |
Honours With Argentina:
- FIFA World Cup runner-up: 1x 2014
- Copa América runner-up: 2x 2015, 2016
3. Hernán Crespo
- Date of Birth: 5 July 1975
- Height: 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Ranked 3rd among the “Best Argentine Strikers of All Time” is Hernán Crespo, currently coaching Al Ain in the UAE Pro League. With over 300 career goals, he’s Argentina’s fourth-highest scorer.
Crespo played in three World Cups and was once the world’s most expensive player when Lazio bought him for €56 million. His honors include three Serie A titles, a Copa Libertadores, a Premier League title, and an Olympic Games silver medal. Pelé named him in the FIFA 100 list of greatest living players in 2004, and Crespo never received a red card in his entire career.
Stats With Argentina:
| Career | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1995–2007 | 64 | 35 |
Honours With Argentina:
- Copa America runner-up: 1x 2007
2. Sergio Agüero
- Date of Birth: 2 June 1988
- Height: 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Ranked 2nd among the “Best Argentine Strikers of All Time” is Sergio Agüero. Starting with CA Independiente’s youth team, he debuted in Argentina’s top league at just 15. Moving to Atlético Madrid in 2006, Agüero earned the Golden Boy award in 2007. His stint at Atlético included winning the Europa League in 2010. In 2011, he joined Manchester City, becoming a Premier League icon with 184 goals in 275 games.
Agüero experienced multiple English title wins and individual honors before retiring due to a cardiac arrhythmia at FC Barcelona in 2021. He won the U20 World Cup in 2007 and Olympic gold in 2008. Agüero played in three World Cups and five Copa América tournaments, winning the 2021 Copa América and reaching the 2014 World Cup final.
Stats With Argentina:
| Career | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2006–2021 | 101 | 41 |
Honours With Argentina:
- Copa América: 1x 2021
- FIFA World Cup runner-up: 1x 2014
1. Gabriel Batistuta
- Date of Birth: 1 February 1969
- Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
- Position(s): Striker
The title of the “Best Argentine Striker of All Time” goes to Gabriel Batistuta, undoubtedly one of the standout strikers of the 90s. Renowned for his goal-scoring instincts, exceptional ball skills, positioning, heading ability, powerful shots, and finishing skills, Batistuta’s qualities earned him a well-deserved place in the pantheon of the best Argentine players in history.
Starting his career with Newell’s Old Boys and subsequently playing for River Plate and Boca Juniors, Batistuta won the Argentine championship with Boca Juniors. His journey then took him to Fiorentina in Italy, where, after a challenging start, he flourished, helping the club secure the Italian Cup and the Italian Super Cup while scoring 207 goals in 333 matches. He later joined AS Roma, contributing to their Serie A victory and another Italian Super Cup.
Batistuta also achieved considerable success with the Argentine national team, winning the Copa América in 1991 and 1993, as well as the Confederations Cup in 1992. With 56 goals in 78 matches, he stands as the second-highest scorer in the history of the national team, only behind Lionel Messi.
Stats With Argentina:
| Career | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1991–2002 | 78 | 56 |
Honours With Argentina:
- Copa América: 2x 1991, 1993
- FIFA Confederations Cup: 1x 1992
- Kirin Cup: 1x 1992
- CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions: 1x 1993
