Lionel Messi sits atop a storied list of Argentina’s all-time forwards, with a clear gap to the next players in line.
The nation has produced legions of world-class scorers, from World Cup champions like Daniel Passarella, Leopoldo Luque, and Mario Kempes to a timeless talisman in Gabriel Batistuta. Yet the latest era has produced a quartet that stands out: Messi leads by a wide margin, Ángel Di María remains active and ranked among the top scorers, while Kun Agüero had to retire due to a heart condition. Gonzalo Higuaín completed his Albiceleste chapter in 2019 and formally retired in October 2022.
Which national team holds the most official football titles in history?
The following overview highlights the Argentina players who have stood out, from their first call-ups to the memorable clash against France in the 2022 World Cup final held in Qatar, capturing the moments when they turned heads for the national team: (Source: Goal)
10. Leopoldo Luque: 22 goals (1975-1981)
9. Daniel Passarella: 22 goals (1978-1986)
8. Luis Artime: 24 goals (1961-1967)
7. Ángel Di María: 28 goals (2009-present)
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6. Gonzalo Higuaín: 32 goals (2009-2019)
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5. Diego Maradona: 34 goals (1977-1994)
Hussein Mamdouh
4. Hernán Crespo: 35 goals (1995-2006)
3. Sergio Agüero: 41 goals (2006-2021)
2. Gabriel Omar Batistuta: 54 goals (1991-2002)
1. Lionel Messi: 99 goals (2005-present)
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Source: Goal