Argentina national football team

The Argentina national football team (Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Argentina) represents Argentina in men's international football and is administered by the Argentine Football Association, the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti in Buenos Aires.

Argentina
Nickname(s)La Albiceleste
(The White and Sky Blues)
AssociationArgentine Football Association (AFA)
ConfederationCONMEBOL (South America)
Head coachLionel Scaloni
CaptainLionel Messi
Most capsJavier Mascherano (147)
Top scorerLionel Messi (71)
Home stadiumAntonio Vespucio Liberti
Buenos Aires
Alberto J. Armando
Buenos Aires
Malvinas Argentinas
Mendoza
Mario Alberto Kempes
Córdoba
Bicentenario de San Juan
San Juan
Ciudad de La Plata
La Plata
Único Madre de Ciudades
Santiago del Estero
FIFA codeARG
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 7 (10 December 2020)[1]
Highest1 (March 2007, October 2007–June 2008, July–October 2015, April 2016–April 2017)
Lowest24 (August 1996)
First international
 Uruguay 2–3 Argentina 
(Montevideo, Uruguay; 16 May 1901)[note 1][2]
Biggest win
 Argentina 12–0 Ecuador 
(Montevideo, Uruguay; 22 January 1942)
Biggest defeat
 Czechoslovakia 6–1 Argentina 
(Helsingborg, Sweden; 15 June 1958)
 Uruguay 5-0 Argentina 
(Guayaquil, Ecuador; 16 December 1959)
 Argentina 0-5 Colombia 
(Buenos Aires, Argentina; 5 September 1993)
 Bolivia 6–1 Argentina 
(La Paz, Bolivia; 1 April 2009)
 Spain 6–1 Argentina 
(Madrid, Spain; 27 March 2018)
World Cup
Appearances17 (first in 1930)
Best resultChampions (1978, 1986)
Copa América
Appearances42 (first in 1916)
Best resultChampions (1921, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1937, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1991, 1993)
Panamerican Championship
Appearances2 (first in 1956)
Best resultChampions (1960)
Intercontinental Cup of Nations
Appearances1 (first in 1993)
Best resultChampions (1993)
Confederations Cup
Appearances3 (first in 1992)
Best resultChampions (1992)
Websiteafa.com.ar

La Selección (national team), also known as La Albiceleste, has appeared in five World Cup finals, including the first final in 1930, which they lost 4–2 to Uruguay. Argentina won in their next final appearance in 1978, beating the Netherlands at extra time, 3–1. Argentina won again in 1986, through a 3–2 victory over West Germany, and a tournament campaign led by the late Diego Maradona. They made the World Cup finals once more in 1990, and lost 1–0 to West Germany following a controversial penalty call in the 87th minute. Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, made their fifth appearance in a World Cup final in 2014, again losing to Germany, 1–0 during extra-time. Argentina's World Cup winning managers are César Luis Menotti in 1978 and Carlos Bilardo in 1986.

Argentina has also been very successful in the Copa América, winning it 14 times, second only to Uruguay. The team also won the 1992 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 1993 Artemio Franchi Trophy. Argentina is known for having rivalries with Brazil, Uruguay, England, and Germany due to particular occurrences with one another throughout football history.[4][5]

History

The first match ever recorded for Argentina was against Uruguay.[note 1] The game was held in Montevideo on 16 May 1901 and Argentina won 3–2. During the first years of its existence, the Argentina national team only played friendly matches against other South American teams. The reasons for this varied, including long travel times between countries and the interruption of World War I.[8]

La Selección (national team), also known as the Albicelestes (sky blue and whites), has appeared in five World Cup finals, including the first final in 1930, which they lost, 4–2, to Uruguay. Argentina won in their next final in 1978, beating the Netherlands, 3–1. Argentina, led by Diego Maradona won again in 1986, a 3–2 victory over West Germany. Argentina last reached the World Cup final in 2014, where it lost 1–0 to Germany national football team. Previous to this their last World Cup final was in 1990, which is also lost, 1–0, to West Germany by a much-disputed penalty. Argentina's World Cup-winning managers are César Luis Menotti in 1978, and Carlos Bilardo in 1986.

Argentina has been very successful in the Copa América, winning it 14 times. The team also won the FIFA Confederations Cup and the Kirin Cup, both in 1992, and the 1993 Artemio Franchi Trophy. An Argentina team (with only three players of over 23 years of age included in the squad) won the Olympics football tournaments in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.[9]

Argentina also won seven of the 18 football competitions at the Pan American Games, winning in 1951, 1955, 1959, 1971, 1995, 2003 and 2019 .

In March 2007, Argentina reached the top of the FIFA World Rankings for the first time.[10]

Home stadium

The River Plate stadium, Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, is a national stadium of Argentina national team that plays most qualifying and friendlies at that stadium.

They play their matches outside the stadium at Córdoba, Rosario, Mendoza, La Plata, San Juan and Santiago del Estero.

Team image

Uniform

The classic light blue and white striped jersey was first worn in the 1908 Copa Newton v. Uruguay
The blue shirt worn v England at the 1986 World Cup, when Diego Maradona scored "the goal of the century"

The kit first worn by Argentina was a white shirt, at the official debut of the national side against Uruguay in 1902.[11] In August 1908, Argentina debuted the light blue vertical stripe on white jersey.[12] That kit would become the official kit. The away kits usually have been in dark blue shades, varying the colors of shorts and socks.

Argentina has sported other kits until the blue strip on white kit was made official. On 3 June 1919 in Rio de Janeiro playing the "Roberto Chery Cup" against Brazil, Argentina wore a light blue kit, similar to Uruguay.[13] The trophy was established by Brazilian Football Confederation for the benefit of Roberto Chery's relatives. Chery was Uruguay's substitute goalkeeper and died during the 1919 South American Championship after collapsing in a game against Chile.[14]

At the 1958 World Cup, Argentina wore the yellow jersey of Swedish club IFK Malmö in the match against West Germany, as the team arrived in Sweden without an away kit.

A last moment jersey changed at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico is memorable. Then manager Carlos Bilardo asked the team kit supplier Le Coq Sportif for a lighter blue shirt for the quarter-final in three days against England, that could not be provided. A member of coaching staff scour the shops of Mexico City for 38 shirt plain shirts. They were transformed with an improvised version of the AFA emblem embroidered on to the shirts,[15] and silvery American football numbers ironed to the backs.[16] Argentina beat England with Diego Maradona's "goal of the century".[17][18] The shirt style became an emblem of the occasion and a collector's item.[19]

At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Argentina debuted a black away kit, a first in their history.[20]

Kit sponsorship

The AFA emblem that was added to playing kits in 1976
Kit supplier Period Notes
Gath & Chaves1930–1934[21]
Sportlandia1966[22]
Adidas1973–1979[21][23]
Le Coq Sportif1980–1989[21][24]
Adidas1990–1998[23][25]
Reebok1999–2001[26]
Adidas2001–present[23]

Crest

The Argentine Football Association ("AFA") logo has been always used as the team emblem. It debuted in the 1958 World Cup held in Sweden, when Argentina added the AFA logo to their jackets, but not to the shirts.[15]

Nevertheless, the AFA emblem was not used on jerseys until 16 November 1976, when Argentina played the Soviet Union at Estadio Monumental. The first emblem was a simplified version of the crest (without the laurel wreath,[27] that was added for the 1982 World Cup).[15]

In 2004, the two stars added above the crest symbolized the national team FIFA World championships of 1978 and 1986.[27]

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
1930 Runners-up 2nd 5 4 0 1 18 9 Squad Qualified as invitees
1934 Round 1 9th 1 0 0 1 2 3 Squad Qualified automatically
1938 Withdrew Withdrew
1950
1954
1958 Group stage 13th 3 1 0 2 5 10 Squad 4 3 0 1 10 2
1962 Group stage 10th 3 1 1 1 2 3 Squad 2 2 0 0 11 3
1966 Quarter-finals 5th 4 2 1 1 4 2 Squad 4 3 1 0 9 2
1970 Did not qualify 4 1 1 2 4 6
1974 Round 2 8th 6 1 2 3 9 12 Squad 4 3 1 0 9 2
1978 Champions 1st 7 5 1 1 15 4 Squad Qualified as hosts
1982 Round 2 11th 5 2 0 3 8 7 Squad Qualified as defending champions
1986 Champions 1st 7 6 1 0 14 5 Squad 6 4 1 1 12 6
1990 Runners-up 2nd 7 2 3 2 5 4 Squad Qualified as defending champions
1994 Round of 16 10th 4 2 0 2 8 6 Squad 8 4 2 2 9 10
1998 Quarter-finals 6th 5 3 1 1 10 4 Squad 16 8 6 2 23 13
2002 Group stage 18th 3 1 1 1 2 2 Squad 18 13 4 1 42 15
2006 Quarter-finals 6th 5 3 2 0 11 3 Squad 18 10 4 4 29 17
2010 Quarter-finals 5th 5 4 0 1 10 6 Squad 18 8 4 6 23 20
2014 Runners-up 2nd 7 5 1 1 8 4 Squad 16 9 5 2 35 15
2018 Round of 16 16th 4 1 1 2 6 9 Squad 18 7 7 4 19 16
2022 To be determined In progress
2026 To be determined
Total 2 Titles 17/21 81 43 15 23 137 93 136 75 36 25 235 127
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Copa América

South American Championship / Copa América record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
1916Runners-up2nd312072 Squad
1917Runners-up2nd320153 Squad
1919Third place3rd310277 Squad
1920Runners-up2nd312042 Squad
1921Champions1st330050 Squad
1922Fourth place4th420263 Squad
1923Runners-up2nd320166 Squad
1924Runners-up2nd312020 Squad
1925Champions1st4310114 Squad
1926Runners-up2nd4211143 Squad
1927Champions1st3300154 Squad
1929Champions1st330091 Squad
1935Runners-up2nd320185 Squad
1937Champions1st6501145 Squad
1939Withdrew
1941Champions1st4400102 Squad
1942Runners-up2nd6411216 Squad
1945Champions1st6510225 Squad
1946Champions1st5500173 Squad
1947Champions1st7610284 Squad
1949Withdrew
1953
1955Champions1st5410186 Squad
1956Third place3rd530253 Squad
1957Champions1st6501256 Squad
1959Champions1st6510195 Squad
1959Runners-up2nd421199 Squad
1963Third place3rd63121510 Squad
1967Runners-up2nd5401123 Squad
1975Group stage5th4202174 Squad
1979Group stage8th411276 Squad
1983Group stage6th413054 Squad
1987Fourth place4th411254 Squad
1989Third place3rd723224 Squad
1991Champions1st7610166 Squad
1993Champions1st624064 Squad
1995Quarter-finals5th421186 Squad
1997Quarter-finals6th412143 Squad
1999Quarter-finals8th420266 Squad
2001Withdrew
2004Runners-up2nd6411166 Squad
2007Runners-up2nd6501166 Squad
2011Quarter-finals7th413052 Squad
2015Runners-up2nd6330103 Squad
2016Runners-up2nd6510182 Squad
2019Third place3rd631276 Squad
2021Qualified
2024Qualified
Total14 Titles42/461951224033462179

FIFA Confederations Cup

FIFA Confederations Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
1992 Champions1st220071 Squad
1995 Runners-up2nd311153 Squad
1997 Did not qualify
1999
2001
2003
2005 Runners-up2nd52211010 Squad
2009 Did not qualify
2013
2017
Total 1 Title 3/10 10 5 3 2 22 14

Olympic Games

Olympic Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
1896 No football tournament
1900 Did not participate
1904
1908
1912
1920
1924
1928Silver medal2nd5311257 Squad
1932 No football tournament
1936 Did not participate
1948
1952
1956
1960Quarter-finals7th320164 Squad
1964Group stage10th201134 Squad
1968 Did not qualify
1972
1976
1980 Qualified but withdrew
1984 Did not qualify
1988Quarter-finals8th411245 Squad
Since 1992See Argentina national under-23 football team
Total1 Silver medal4/19146353820

Pan American Games

Pan American Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
1951Gold medal1st4400162
1955Gold medal1st6510237
1959Gold medal1st6510204
1963Silver medal2nd4220113
1967Preliminary round5th311173
1971Gold medal1st8620134
1975Bronze medal3rd6510191
1979Bronze medal3rd541090
1983Preliminary round5th200204
1987Bronze medal3rd5311113
1991Did not qualify
1995Gold medal1st6420104
Since 1999See Argentina national under-23 football team
Total5 Gold medals11/12553912413935

All-time head-to-head record

Below is a result summary of all matches Argentina have played against FIFA recognized teams.[28]

As of 17 November 2020

  Positive Record   Neutral Record   Negative Record

  1. Includes matches against  Czechoslovakia.
  2. Includes matches against  West Germany.
  3. Includes matches against  Soviet Union.
  4. Includes matches against  Yugoslavia and  Serbia and Montenegro.

Results and fixtures

  Win   Draw   Loss

2020

12 November 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Argentina  1–1  Paraguay Buenos Aires, Argentina
21:00 ART (UTC−3) González  41' Report Á. Romero  21' (pen.) Stadium: Estadio Alberto J. Armando
Attendance: 0
Referee: Raphael Claus (Brazil)
17 November 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Peru  0–2  Argentina Lima, Peru
19:30 PET (UTC−5) Report González  17'
L. Martínez  28'
Stadium: Estadio Nacional
Attendance: 0
Referee: Wilmar Roldán (Colombia)

2021

Players

Current squad

The following players were selected for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru on 12 and 17 November 2020, respectively.[29]
Caps and goals correct as of: 17 November 2020, after the match against Peru.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Franco Armani (1986-10-16) 16 October 1986 15 0 River Plate
23 1GK Agustín Marchesín (1988-03-16) 16 March 1988 7 0 Porto
12 1GK Esteban Andrada (1991-01-26) 26 January 1991 4 0 Boca Juniors

19 2DF Nicolás Otamendi (1988-02-12) 12 February 1988 74 4 Benfica
3 2DF Nicolás Tagliafico (1992-08-31) 31 August 1992 28 0 Ajax
6 2DF Walter Kannemann (1991-03-14) 14 March 1991 6 0 Grêmio
2 2DF Lucas Martínez Quarta (1996-05-10) 10 May 1996 6 0 Fiorentina
4 2DF Gonzalo Montiel (1997-01-01) 1 January 1997 6 0 River Plate
14 2DF Facundo Medina (1999-05-28) 28 May 1999 1 0 Lens
15 2DF Nehuén Pérez (2000-06-24) 24 June 2000 0 0 Granada

11 3MF Ángel Di María (1988-02-14) 14 February 1988 104 20 Paris Saint-Germain
5 3MF Leandro Paredes (1994-06-29) 29 June 1994 28 3 Paris Saint-Germain
20 3MF Giovani Lo Celso (1996-04-09) 9 April 1996 23 2 Tottenham Hotspur
8 3MF Rodrigo De Paul (1994-05-24) 24 May 1994 21 0 Udinese
16 3MF Guido Rodríguez (1994-04-12) 12 April 1994 10 0 Betis
17 3MF Nicolás Domínguez (1998-06-28) 28 June 1998 8 1 Bologna

10 4FW Lionel Messi (Captain) (1987-06-24) 24 June 1987 142 71 Barcelona
22 4FW Lautaro Martínez (1997-08-22) 22 August 1997 21 11 Internazionale
13 4FW Lucas Alario (1992-10-08) 8 October 1992 9 3 Bayer Leverkusen
18 4FW Lucas Ocampos (1994-07-11) 11 July 1994 7 2 Sevilla
9 4FW Joaquín Correa (1994-08-13) 13 August 1994 5 2 Lazio
21 4FW Nicolás González (1998-04-06) 6 April 1998 5 2 VfB Stuttgart
7 4FW Alejandro Gómez (1988-02-15) 15 February 1988 5 1 Sevilla

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team in the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Emiliano Martínez (1992-09-02) 2 September 1992 0 0 Aston Villa v.  Peru, 17 November 2020
GK Jeremías Ledesma (1993-02-13) 13 February 1993 0 0 Cádiz v.  Paraguay, 12 November 2020 PRE
GK Juan Musso (1994-05-06) 6 May 1994 1 0 Udinese v.  Ecuador, 8 October 2020 INJ

DF Leonardo Balerdi (1999-01-26) 26 January 1999 2 0 Marseille v.  Peru, 17 November 2020
DF Lisandro Martínez (1998-01-18) 18 January 1998 1 0 Ajax v.  Peru, 17 November 2020
DF Germán Pezzella (1991-06-27) 27 June 1991 16 2 Fiorentina v.  Paraguay, 12 November 2020 INJ
DF Juan Foyth (1998-01-12) 12 January 1998 11 0 Villareal v.  Paraguay, 12 November 2020 INJ
DF Marcos Senesi (1997-05-10) 10 May 1997 0 0 Feyenoord v.  Paraguay, 12 November 2020 PRE
DF Renzo Saravia (1993-07-16) 16 July 1993 9 0 Internacional v.  Ecuador, 8 October 2020 INJ

MF Exequiel Palacios (1998-10-05) 5 October 1998 6 0 Bayer Leverkusen v.  Peru, 17 November 2020 INJ
MF Marcos Acuña (1991-10-28) 28 October 1991 28 0 Sevilla v.  Paraguay, 12 November 2020 INJ
MF Roberto Pereyra (1991-01-07) 7 January 1991 19 2 Udinese v.  Paraguay, 12 November 2020 INJ
MF Eduardo Salvio (1990-07-13) 13 July 1990 14 0 Boca Juniors v.  Paraguay, 12 November 2020 INJ
MF Alexis Mac Allister (1998-12-24) 24 December 1998 2 0 Brighton & Hove Albion v.  Bolivia, 13 October 2020

FW Sergio Agüero (1988-06-02) 2 June 1988 97 41 Manchester City v.  Paraguay, 12 November 2020 INJ
FW Paulo Dybala (1993-11-15) 15 November 1993 29 2 Juventus v.  Paraguay, 12 November 2020 INJ
FW Giovanni Simeone (1995-07-05) 5 July 1995 5 1 Cagliari v.  Paraguay, 12 November 2020 PRE
FW Cristian Pavón (1996-01-21) 21 January 1996 11 0 LA Galaxy v.  Ecuador, 8 October 2020 PRE

INJ Withdrew due to injury
PRE Preliminary squad
RET Retired from the national team
SUS Suspended

Coaching staff

Position Name
Head coach Lionel Scaloni
Assistant coach Pablo Aimar
Assistant coach Roberto Ayala
Assistant coach Walter Samuel
Assistant coach (analyst) Matías Manna
Fitness coach Luis Martín
Goalkeeping coach Martín Tocalli

Statistics

Most capped players

As of 18 November 2020, the ten players with the most appearances for Argentina are:[30][31]
Javier Mascherano is the most capped player in the history of Argentina with 147 caps.
Rank. Name Career Caps Goals
1 Javier Mascherano 2003–2018 147 3
2 Javier Zanetti 1994–2011 143 4
3 Lionel Messi 2005– 142 71
4 Roberto Ayala 1994–2007 114 7
5 Diego Simeone 1988–2002 106 9
6 Ángel Di María 2008– 104 20
7 Sergio Agüero 2006– 97 41
Oscar Ruggeri 1983–1994 97 7
9 Sergio Romero 2009– 96 0
10 Diego Maradona 1977–1994 91 34

Top goalscorers

As of 18 November 2020, the ten players with the most goals for Argentina are:[32]
Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup. He is the highest goalscorer in the history of Argentina with 71 goals.
Rank. Player Career Goals Caps Avg/Game Official Match Goals
1 Lionel Messi 2005– 71 142 0.5 37
2 Gabriel Batistuta[note 4] 1991–2002 54 77 0.7 38
3 Sergio Agüero 2006– 41 97 0.42 20
4 Hernán Crespo 1995–2007 35 64 0.55 26
5 Diego Maradona 1977–1994 34 91 0.37 15
6 Gonzalo Higuaín 2009–2018 31 75 0.41 23
7 Luis Artime 1961–1967 24 25 0.96 ?
8 Daniel Passarella 1976–1986 23 70 0.33 6
9 Leopoldo Luque 1975–1981 21 45 0.49 8
José Sanfilippo 1956–1962 21 29 0.76 ?

World Cup winning captains

World Cup winning captains of Argentina, (left): Daniel Passarella in 1978; (right): Diego Maradona in 1986
Year Name Caps Goals
1978 Daniel Passarella 70 23
1986 Diego Maradona 91 34

Individual records

  • Most goals scored in all international competitions, including friendlies: 71 Lionel Messi, 2005–[34]
  • Most goals scored in official international competitions, including FIFA World Cup qualification and FIFA Confederations Cup: 38 Gabriel Batistuta, 1991–2002
  • Most goals scored in all major international tournaments, not including FIFA World Cup qualification and FIFA Confederations Cup: 23 – Gabriel Batistuta, 1991–2002
  • Most goals scored in international friendlies: 34 – Lionel Messi, 2005–
  • Most goals scored in one calendar year, including friendlies: 12 – Lionel Messi, 2012; Gabriel Batistuta, 1998
  • Most goals scored in one FIFA World Cup qualification: 10 – Lionel Messi, 2014
  • Most goals scored in all FIFA World Cup qualifications: 22 – Lionel Messi, 2005–
  • Most goals scored in one FIFA World Cup tournament: 8 Guillermo Stábile, 1930
  • Most goals scored in all FIFA World Cup tournaments: 10 – Gabriel Batistuta, 1991–2001
  • Most goals scored in one FIFA Confederations Cup: 4 Luciano Figueroa, 2005
  • Most goals scored in all FIFA Confederations Cup: 4 – Gabriel Batistuta, 1991–2002, Luciano Figueroa, 2004–2005
  • Most goals scored in one Copa América: 6 – Gabriel Batistuta, 1991
  • Most goals scored in all Copas América: 13 – Gabriel Batistuta, 1991–2002
  • Most goals scored in one South American Championship: 9 Humberto Maschio, 1957
  • Most goals scored in all South American Championships: 17 Norberto Méndez, 1945–1956
  • Most goals scored in one Football Summer Olympics: 9 Domingo Tarasconi, 1928
  • Most goals scored in all Football Summer Olympics: 9 – Domingo Tarasconi, 1922–1929
  • Most goals scored in all U-20 international competitions, including friendlies: 18 – Lionel Messi, 2005[35]
  • Most goals scored in official U-20 international competitions: 11 – Lionel Messi, 2005; Javier Saviola, 2001
  • Most goals scored in one FIFA U-20 World Cup tournament: 11 – Javier Saviola, 2001
  • Most goals scored in all FIFA U-20 World Cup tournaments: 11 – Javier Saviola, 2001
  • Most goals scored in one South American Youth Football Championship: 9 Luciano Galletti, 1999; Giovanni Simeone, 2015[36]
  • Most goals scored from the penalty kick: 13 – Lionel Messi, 2005–[34]
  • Most direct free kick goals scored in all international competitions, including friendlies: 6 – Lionel Messi, against Paraguay, Uruguay, Nigeria, Panama, United States, Colombia
  • Most hat-tricks scored in all international competitions, including friendlies: 6 – Lionel Messi, against Switzerland, Brazil, Guatemala, Panama, Ecuador, Haiti
  • Most assists provided in all international competitions, including friendlies: 42 – Lionel Messi, 2005–
  • Most assists provided in Copa América matches: 11 – Lionel Messi, 2005–[37]
  • Most wins in all international competitions, including friendlies: 85 - Lionel Messi, 2005–[38][39]
  • Most Man of the Match awards won in one FIFA World Cup: 4 – Lionel Messi, 2014[40]
  • Most Man of the Match awards won in FIFA World Cup matches: 5 – Lionel Messi, 2005–[40][41]
  • Most Man of the Match awards won in one Copa América: 4 – Lionel Messi, 2015[42]
  • Most Man of the Match awards won in Copa América matches: 9 – Lionel Messi, 2005–[42][43]
  • Oldest player that have ever scored a goal: Martín Palermo, 36 years and 7 months old in 2010 against Greece
  • Oldest player that have scored a goal at FIFA World Cup tournament: Martín Palermo, 36 years and 7 months old in 2010 against Greece
  • Youngest player that have ever scored a goal: Diego Maradona, 18 years, 7 months and 4 days old in 1979 against Scotland[44]
  • Youngest player that have ever scored a goal at FIFA World Cup tournament: Lionel Messi, 18 years and 357 days old in 2006 against Serbia and Montenegro
  • Youngest player that have ever captained the team at FIFA World Cup tournament: Lionel Messi, 22 years and 363 days old in 2010 against Greece[45]
  • Youngest player to ever reach 100 caps: Lionel Messi, 27 years and 362 days old in 2015 against Jamaica[45]
  • Youngest player that have scored a goal at South American Championship/Copa America: Diego Maradona 18 years and 10 months old in 1979 against Brazil
  • Only player that have scored against all 9 South American Nations: Lionel Messi, against Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela[46]
  • Players that have scored the most goals in a match at any competition: 5 Manuel Seoane, in 1925; Juan Marvezzi, in 1941
  • Players that have scored in all 3 matches of the group stage in one FIFA World Cup: Oreste Corbatta, in 1958; Lionel Messi, in 2014[47]
  • Players that have scored the most goals in a match at FIFA World Cup: 3 – Guillermo Stábile, in 1930; Gabriel Batistuta, in 1994 & 1998; Gonzalo Higuaín, in 2010
  • Players that have scored the most goals in a match at South American Championship/Copa América: 5 – Manuel Seoane, in 1925; Juan Marvezzi, in 1941
  • Players that have won the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: Diego Maradona, in 1986; Lionel Messi, in 2014
  • Players that have won the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot: Guillermo Stábile, 8 goals in 1930; Mario Kempes, 6 goals in 1978
  • Players that have won the Copa América era Golden Shoe: Leopoldo Luque, 4 goals in 1975; Jorge Burruchaga, 3 goals in 1983; Gabriel Batistuta, 6 goals in 1991, 4 goals in 1995
  • Players that have won the South American Championship Golden Shoe: Julio Libonatti, 3 goals in 1921; Juan Francia, 4 goals in 1922; Vicente Aguirre, 3 goals in 1923; Manuel Seoane, 6 goals in 1925; Alfredo Carricaberry & Segundo Luna, 7 goals in 1927; Herminio Masantonio, 4 goals in 1935; Juan Marvezzi, 5 goals in 1941; Herminio Masantonio & José Manuel Moreno, 7 goals in 1942; Norberto Méndez, 6 goals in 1945; Rodolfo Micheli, 8 goals in 1955; Humberto Maschio, 9 goals in 1957; José Sanfilippo, 5 goals in 1959; Luis Artime, 5 goals in 1967
  • Players that have won the Football Summer Olympics Golden Shoe: Domingo Tarasconi, 9 goals in 1928; Hernán Crespo, 6 goals in 1996; Carlos Tevez, 8 goals in 2004

Managers

The first Argentina national team manager was Ángel Vázquez, appointed in 1924. Guillermo Stábile is the manager with the most matches coaching the team (127).[48] Here is the complete list of managers:[49][50][51][52]

Period Name
1924–1925 Ángel Vázquez
1927–1928 José Lago Millán
1928–1929 Francisco Olazar
1929–1930 Francisco Olazar and Juan J. Tramutola
1934 Felipe Pascucci
1934–1937 Manuel Seoane
1937–1939 Ángel Fernández Roca
1939–1959 Guillermo Stábile
1959 Victorio Spinetto
Period Name
1960–1961 Guillermo Stábile
1962–1963 Juan Carlos Lorenzo
1963 Alejandro Galán
1963–1964 Horacio Torres
1964–1968 José María Minella
1968 Renato Cesarini
1968–1969 Humberto Maschio
1969 Adolfo Pedernera
1969–1972 Juan José Pizzuti
Period Name
1972–1974 Omar Sívori
1974 Vladislao Cap
1974–1982 César Luis Menotti
1983–1990 Carlos Bilardo
1990–1994 Alfio Basile
1994–1998 Daniel Passarella
1998–2004 Marcelo Bielsa
2004–2006 José Pékerman
2006–2008 Alfio Basile
Period Name
2008–2010 Diego Maradona
2010–2011 Sergio Batista
2011–2014 Alejandro Sabella
2014–2016 Gerardo Martino
2016–2017 Edgardo Bauza
2017–2018 Jorge Sampaoli
2018– Lionel Scaloni

Rivalries

Brazil

Argentina have a long and fierce rivalry with their South American neighbours.[53]

England

With a rivalry stemming from the 1966 World Cup and intensified by the Falklands War of 1982, Argentina and England have had numerous confrontations in World Cup tournaments. Among them was the quarter-final match in 1986, where Diego Maradona scored two goals against England. The first was a handball, but was ruled legal by the referee. The second, scored minutes later, saw Maradona passing five England outfield players before scoring, and is often described as one of the greatest goals in football history.

The nations were paired together in the Round of 16 at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, won by Argentina on penalties, and again at the group stage in 2002, England winning 1–0 through a penalty by David Beckham who had been sent off in the tie four years earlier.

Germany

Action from the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final between Argentina and Germany

Argentina have played Germany in seven FIFA World Cup matches including three FIFA World Cup finals: In 1986 Argentina won 3–2, but in 1990 it was the Germans who were the victors by a 1–0 scoreline.

In 1958 they met for the first time in the group stage, where Argentina suffered a 1–3 loss to defending champions West Germany.[54] In 1966 both again faced each other in the group stage which ended in a scoreless draw.[55] 2006 they met in the quarter-finals; Argentina lost on penalties after a 1–1 draw. They met again at the same stage in 2010, this time ending with a 4–0 victory for Germany. They played each other for the third consecutive World Cup in the Brazil 2014 event's final, where Argentina were defeated in extra time by a score of 1–0.

Uruguay

Argentina have a long-standing rivalry with their neighbors, that came into existence from the early South American Championships, the 1928 Summer Olympics and the first World Cup final, held in 1930.

Argentina and Uruguay hold the record for most international matches played between two countries.[2] The two teams have faced each other 198 times since 1901. The first match between Argentina and Uruguay was also the first official international match to be played outside the United Kingdom.[note 5]

Nigeria

A minor rivalry developed from the 1990s between Argentina and Nigeria, based not on geographical proximity, long-term battles for honours or factors outside football, but due to the frequency of significant matches between them.[56][57][58][59][60][61] This has included five World Cup group games, all won by Argentina by a single goal margin: 2–1 in 1994, 1–0 in 2002, 1–0 in 2010, 3–2 in 2014 and 2–1 in 2018. The fixture is the most common in the competition's history involving an African nation,[62] and has occurred in five of the six tournaments for which Nigeria has qualified. The sides also met in the 1995 King Fahd Cup (the predecessor to the Confederations Cup) as champions of their respective continents, drawing 0–0.

Below full international level, their Olympic teams also faced off in the gold medal match in 1996 (3–2 to Nigeria), and 2008 (1–0 to Argentina). The final of the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship was also played between them; both Argentina goals in their 2–1 win were scored by Lionel Messi, who would go on to find the net for the senior team in the 2014[63] and 2018[64] World Cup fixtures. On 6 September 2011, Bangabandhu National Stadium hosted an international friendly football match between the full-strength Argentina and Nigeria teams, featuring Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero, Javier Mascherano and John Obi Mikel among the other star players of both nations. Argentina won 3–1 with goals from then-Real Madrid teammates Gonzalo Higuaín and Ángel Di María, and an own goal from Nigeria's Elderson Echiéjilé with Chinedu Obasi scoring Nigeria's lone goal.

The sense of rivalry is more keenly felt on the Nigerian side, as Argentina have won almost all of their encounters and have more important traditional opponents to concentrate on, in contrast to the West Africans who remain keen to finally overcome a more illustrious foe.[57]

Honours

Official

Friendly

Notes
  1. Senior squad participations include the 1928–1936 period so only amateur players were allowed from the 1948 Games, and only U-23 players starting in 1992. For further information, see Argentina national under-23 football team.

See also

Notes and references

Notes

  1. Some versions state that the team that faced Argentina was Albion F.C. based on that the initial line-up had nine players from that club. It was the first match disputed by an Uruguayan national team.[6][7]
  2. From 1996 on, medals won by Argentina were with the U-23 team, not the senior squad, as ruled by the IOC.
  3. A match against England on 17 May 1953 was abandoned, and the result declared void, hence the number of matches played is greater than the total of wins/draws/losses.
  4. Although FIFA recognises two goals Batistuta scored in a 6–0 home win against the Slovakia national youth side on 22 June 1995, the Argentine Football Association does not recognise these goals.[33]
  5. Although Canada and the United States played two internationals in 1885 and 1886, neither match is considered official; Canada did not play an official international until 1904 and the USA did not play one until 1916.
  6. Organised by Argentine and Uruguayan Associations
  7. Organised by Brazilian and Argentine Associations
  8. Organised by the Brazilian Confederation
  9. Organised by Japanese Kirin Company

References

  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  2. Pelayes, Héctor Darío (24 September 2010). "Argentina-Uruguay Matches 1902–2009". RSSSF. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  3. After 1988, the tournament has been restricted to squads with no more than 3 players over the age of 23, and these matches are not regarded as part of the national team's record, nor are caps awarded.
  4. "Great Footballing Rivalries : Argentina vs. Uruguay " SportsKeeda". Sportskeeda.com. 4 July 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  5. Wetzel, Dan (1 July 2010). "War of words renews Argentina-Germany rivalry – FBINTL – Yahoo! Sports". G.sports.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 9 July 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  6. ""Historia del Fútbol Uruguayo" at Deportes en Uruguay". Deportesenuruguay.eluruguayo.com. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  7. ""Reasons for excluding or including full "A" internationals (1901–1910) at IFFHS". Iffhs.de. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  8. Los comienzos (1901–1930), AFA website (Archived, 4 Feb 2015)
  9. "Football gold for Argentina". BBC News. 28 August 2004. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  10. "– Argentina first for first time". Fifa.com. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  11. "Uruguay 0–6 Argentina". Fútbol Nostalgia. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  12. Pelayes, Héctor. "Argentina national team archive". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 3 June 2009. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  13. "Copa Roberto Chery, Brasil 3 – Argentina 3". IFFHS. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  14. Federico Mauccione Pérez (26 February 2004). "El 3 de Julio de 1919, la Selección de Brasil vistió la camiseta de Peñarol". GloriosoMirasol.com. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  15. "Viejos Estadios: El escudo de la Argentina en las Copas del Mundo".
  16. "Curious tales of World Cup shirts". FIFA.com. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  17. El día que Diego Maradona hizo "el gol del siglo" y se convirtió en villano por la "mano de Dios" on BBC, 22 June 2016
  18. Se cumplen 33 años del 'gol del siglo', Marca, 22 June 2019
  19. La historia de la camiseta azul by Andrés Burgo on El Gráfico, 24 Apr 2018
  20. Mello, Igor (21 June 2018). "World Cup kits 2018: Ranking the best and worst uniforms to be showcased in Russia this summer". CBS Sports. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  21. La evolución de la camiseta de la Selección Argentina a lo largo de su historia by Daniel Szwarc on 90min.com, 9 October 2015
  22. Palopoli, Eugenio; Ruggiero, Sebastián; Silber, Diego (1 August 2019). Camisetas legendarias del fútbol argentino (in Spanish). Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial Argentina. ISBN 978-950-28-1319-6. OCLC 1112221401.
  23. Todas las camisetas Adidas de la Selección Argentina a lo largo de la historia on Pasion Fútbol
  24. La camiseta de las selección argentina según pasan los años, La Gaceta, 9 November 2005
  25. Adidas recupera a la selección Argentina, Emol Deportes, 6 November 2001
  26. El peso de la camiseta, La Nación, 21 August 1998
  27. El escudo de la camiseta de la Selección argentina cumple 41 años by Daniela Aguinsky, Clarín, 16 Nov 2017
  28. "World Football Elo Ratings: Argentina".
  29. "Lista preliminar de convocados del fútbol exterior". AFA (in Spanish). 18 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  30. "FIFA Century Club" (PDF). FIFA. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  31. Roberto Mamrud (11 January 2018). "Appearances for Argentina National Team". RSSSF.com. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  32. Roberto Mamrud (11 January 2018). "Goalscoring for Argentina National Team". RSSSF.com. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  33. "Lionel Messi breaks Argentina's all-time goal-scoring record". ESPN FC. 21 June 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  34. FIFA.com (1 January 1900). "Messi & Batistuta react as record changes hands". Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  35. "Lionel Messi reaches 1,000 goals as a footballer | FC Barcelona". FC Barcelona. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  36. "Giovanni Simeone is champion and top scorer". CONMEBOL. 8 February 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  37. "Lionel Messi Sets Copa América Assists Record, Thrills Gillette Stadium". NESN. 18 June 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  38. "Lionel Messi speaks following Argentina's 2-0 win over Peru". OneFootball. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  39. "El nuevo récord de Messi en el triunfo de Argentina". Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 18 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  40. "Fourth MVP for Leo Messi at the World Cup Finals". FC Barcelona. 2 July 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  41. "2010 FIFA World Cup – Matches: Greece vs. Argentina". FIFA. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  42. "Messi, cuatro 'MVP' en cinco partidos". Sport.ES (in Spanish). 1 July 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  43. "America dazzled by MVP Messi | FCB". www.fcbarcelona.com. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  44. "Match Stats". 22 June 2016.
  45. "Ten years with Argentina for Leo Messi". FC Barcelona. 19 August 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  46. EN, Sport (5 September 2015). "Messi's now scored vs. EVERY South American country... except Argentin". Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  47. "Messi broke record of 56 years". Bubblews. 25 June 2014. Archived from the original on 19 October 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  48. "Los 40 nombres que dirigieron la Selección Nacional" on AFA website (1924–2006 period listed)
  49. "De Olazar a Batista: 43 técnicos de la Selección Argentina", MDZ online.com Archived 2 January 2015 at the Wayback Machine, 1 November 2010
  50. "Los 42 técnicos que tuvo la Selección", La Nación
  51. "ARGENTINA NATIONAL TEAM ARCHIVE". www.rsssf.com.
  52. Como Pep Guardiola: José Lago Millán, el español que dirigió a la Selección on Minuto Uno, 4 July 2018
  53. "Casual football fans emerge to pack out MCG for 'Superclasico' No.108". Herald Sun. 10 June 2017.
  54. FIFA.com. "1958 FIFA World Cup Sweden ™ - Matches". FIFA.com. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  55. "Argentina vs. Germany Head-to-Head in the World Cups". www.thesoccerworldcups.com. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  56. "Nigeria-Argentina: A rivalry that keeps on running". FIFA. 25 June 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  57. "Nigeria always loses to Argentina and I'm sick of it". SB Nation. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  58. "Argentina vs. Nigeria, un clásico en los Mundiales con cuenta pendiente para los africanos" [Argentina vs. Nigeria, a classic in the World Cup with the Africans still to open their account] (in Spanish). El Universo. 1 December 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  59. "¿Desde hace cuánto viene la rivalidad entre Argentina y Nigeria?" [How long has there been a rivalry between Argentina and Nigeria?] (in Spanish). Segundo Enfoque. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  60. "Nigeria, un viejo conocido de Argentina" [Nigeria, an old acquaintance of Argentina] (in Spanish). Diario Publicable. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  61. "Argentina vs. Nigeria: El historial le da esperanzas a los hinchas "albicelestes"" [Argentina vs. Nigeria: History gives hope to "albiceleste" fans] (in Spanish). Guioteca. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  62. "Photos of the 24-year soccer rivalry between Nigeria and Argentina". Quartz. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  63. Klein, Jeff (25 June 2014). "World Cup 2014: Argentina Defeats Nigeria, 3–2". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 12 October 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  64. "Nigeria 1-2 Argentina". BBC Sport. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  65. "Copa Julio Roca at RSSSF". Rsssf.com. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.