The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in all of its international games. Controlled by the Argentine Football Association (AFA), it is one of the 13 debutant countries that participated in the inaugural FIFA World Cup of 1930. Losing to the host of 1930 World cup Uruguay in the finals, Argentina became the runner-up in their very first world stage.
Caption: Argentina national football team logo
In 1978, Argentina hosted their first World Cup and being favoured by their home ground, Argentina won the 1978 finals by defeating the Netherlands with a score of 3-1. Another victory laid in wait for this team in 1986 where they defeated West Germany by a score of 3-2.
Caption: Diego Maradona of the 1986 Argentina national football team lifting the trophy after winning in the finals
The following FIFA World Cup of 1990, Argentina held yet another title by becoming the runner-up after losing against West Germany with a score of 1-0. Argentina didn’t appear in the spotlight until the 2014 World Cup where they became the runner-up by losing against Germany with a score of 1-0.
Argentina participated for a total of 17 times in World Cup with their best performances being the champions in 1978 and 1986. As of January 18, 2018, Argentina lies in the 4th position of FIFA ranking. In March 2007, Argentina secured the top of the FIFA World Rankings for the first time.
The captain if this legendary team is none other than Lionel Messi with the record of 123 caps and 61 goals. It was due to his epic performance in the 2018 FIFA qualifications that helped Argentina to secure a position in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Since 2017, Jorge Sampaoli has been coaching the Argentina team.
Caption: The current captain of the Argentina national football team Lionel Messi in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifications
The very first Argentinian national team manager was Angerl Vazquez whereas the longest-period managing coach was Guillermo Stabile.
The current Argentina squad has 25 players who were called up for the friendly matches against Russia and Nigeria in 2017.
Jersey number |
Position |
Player |
Date of birth |
Goals |
1 |
Goalkeeper |
Sergio Romero |
22 February 1987 |
0 |
12 |
Goalkeeper |
Nahuel Guzman |
10 February 1986 |
0 |
23 |
Goalkeeper |
Agustin Marchesin |
16 March 1988 |
0 |
14 |
Defender |
Javier Mascherano |
8 June 1984 |
3 |
17 |
Defender |
Nicolas Otamendi |
12 February 1988 |
3 |
3 |
Defender |
Federico Fazio |
17 March 1987 |
1 |
6 |
Defender |
Emiliano Insua |
7 January 1989 |
0 |
2 |
Defender |
Emanuel Mammana |
10 February 1996 |
0 |
4 |
Defender |
German Pezzella |
27 June 1991 |
0 |
19 |
Midfielder |
Ever Banega |
29 June 1988 |
5 |
8 |
Midfielder |
Enzo Perez |
22 February 1986 |
1 |
13 |
Midfielder |
Matias Kranevitter |
21 May 1993 |
0 |
18 |
Midfielder |
Eduardo Salvio |
13 July 1990 |
0 |
25 |
Midfielder |
Fernando Belluschi |
10 September 1983 |
0 |
22 |
Midfielder |
Alejandro Gomez |
15 February 1988 |
1 |
16 |
Midfielder |
Diego Perotti |
26 July 1988 |
0 |
24 |
Midfielder |
Emiliano Rigoni |
4 February 1993 |
0 |
5 |
Midfielder |
Leandro Paredes |
29 June 1994 |
1 |
20 |
Midfielder |
Giovani Lo Celso |
9 April 1996 |
0 |
10 |
Forward |
Lionel Messi (captain) |
24 June 1987 |
61 |
11 |
Forward |
Angel Di Maria |
14 February 1988 |
19 |
9 |
Forward |
Sergio Aguero |
2 June 1988 |
36 |
21 |
Forward |
Paulo Dybala |
15 November 1993 |
0 |
7 |
Forward |
Dario Benedetto |
17 May 1990 |
0 |
26 |
Forward |
Cristian Pavon |
21 January 1996 |
0 |