Argentina is one of the most exciting teams to participate in international football. The team has participated in four FIFA World Cup finals and won two. The team has also won 14 Copa America titles and the FIFA Confederation Cup in 1992.
Lets have a glance at some of the legends the country has produced.
Diego Maradona:
Considered as the greatest footballer in the world, Diego Maradona took part in four FIFA World Cups. He led his side to victories in the 1986 and 1980.
In the 1980 quarter final against England, Maradona became famous for two reasons. He controversially scored the first goal by his hand which later he called it “The Hand of God” goal. However, the second goal was pure class as the striker made a 66 yard dash and dodged five English players to score the second goal. The goal is known as “The Goal of Century”.
He also served as the manager of the Argentina side from 2008 till the end of 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Maradona was named as the joint FIFA player of the 20th century with Brazilian great Pele.
Lionel Messi:
Arguably the greatest footballer of all time, Lionel Messi won four consecutive Ballon d’Ors and FIFA World Player of the Year.
Messi helped his country clinch the Under-20 FIFA World Cup in 2005 in which he was the top scorer. He is also the youngest Argentine player to score and appear for his country in the 2006 World Cup in Germany and helped his team become the runners up in 2007 Copa America.
He achieved his first international feat after his side won the Olympic Gold Medal.
Messi is often compared to other footballing greats such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Maradona.
Mario Kempes:
Inspiring to become a footballer since childhood and his father as a professional footballer himself, Mario Kempres was the workhorse behind Argentina winning the 1978 FIFA World Cup.
Kempes was one of the only three players in history to receive World Cup, Golden Shoe and the Golden Ball in a single World Cup.
The striker was also named as the South American Footballer of the Year in 1978. He was included in the list of Top 125 greatest living footballers in 2004.
Hernan Crespo:
Hernan Crespo is the third highest goal scorer for Argentina having scored more than 300 goals in his 19 year career.
He is the third highest scorer for the country behind Gabriel Batistuta and Lionel Messi.
Crespo also appeared in three World Cups (1998,2002,2006).
