The Argentina national football team (Spanish : Selección de fútbol de Argentina), nicknamed La Albiceleste ('The White and Sky Blue'), represents Argentina in men's international football and is administered by the Argentine Football Association, the governing body for football in Argentina.
They are the reigning world champions, having won the most recent World Cup in 2022, earning their third star shown by the team's crest. Overall, Argentina has appeared in a World Cup final six times, a record equaled by Italy and surpassed only by Brazil and Germany. Argentina played in the first ever final in 1930, which they lost 4–2 to Uruguay. The following final appearance came 48 years later, in 1978, when the team captained by Daniel Passarella defeated the Netherlands 3–1 in extra time, becoming world champions for the first time. Captained by Diego Maradona, Argentina won their second World Cup eight years later, in 1986, with a 3–2 final victory over West Germany. They reached the final once more under the guidance of Maradona, in 1990, but were ultimately beaten 1–0 by West Germany. A few decades later, Argentina, led by Lionel Messi made their fifth final appearance in 2014, losing to Germany 1–0 after extra time. In 2022, again captained by Messi, they were crowned world champions for the third time, the fourth-most of any country, beating France 4–2 on penalties, following a 3–3 draw after extra time. The team's World Cup–winning managers are César Luis Menotti in 1978, Carlos Bilardo in 1986 and Lionel Scaloni in 2022. In addition, Argentina has also been very successful in the Copa América, with a record 16 titles, most recently winning the 2024 edition. They are also the only nation to have won the Copa América three consecutive times: they did it in 1945, 1946 and 1947. Furthermore, Argentina won the inaugural FIFA Confederations Cup in 1992 and is the most successful team in the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions, having won it twice, in 1993 and 2022. The national team also won the Panamerican Championship in 1960. In total, with 23 official titles won as of 2024, Argentina holds the record in senior official titles won. [10] [11] [12]
Argentines Guillermo Stábile in 1930 and Mario Kempes in 1978 were the top-scoring players at their respective World Cups. Since the Golden Ball for the tournament's best player was officially awarded by FIFA in 1982, Argentina players have won it three times: Maradona in 1986 and Messi in 2014 and 2022. Individually for Argentina, Lionel Messi is the all-time most-capped player with 189 matches and the highest goalscorer with 112 goals. As of October 2024 [update] , Argentina ranks 1st in the FIFA Men's World Ranking. [13]
Argentina is known for having rivalries with Brazil, England, Germany, the Netherlands, Uruguay and France. [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [ excessive citations ]
The first ever match Argentina played was against Uruguay on 20 June 1902. [note 2] The match, which was the first international for both sides, was held in Montevideo, and Argentina won 6–0. [3] [6] During the first years of its existence, Argentina only played friendly matches against other South American teams. The reasons for this varied, including long travel times between countries and the interruption due to World War I. [24]
La Albiceleste has appeared in World Cup finals six times, including the first ever final on 30 July 1930, which they lost 4–2 to Uruguay. Argentina won their next final on 25 June 1978, beating the Netherlands 3–1. Eight years later, in 1986, Argentina led by Diego Maradona won their second title with a 3–2 victory over West Germany. Under the guidance of Maradona, they reached the final again, in 1990, but ultimately lost 1–0 to West Germany, by a much-disputed penalty. Led by Lionel Messi, Argentina reached the final in 2014, where they were beaten 1–0 by Germany in extra time. In 2022, again under the captaincy of Messi, Argentina won their third World Cup, beating France 4–2 on penalties, following a 3–3 draw after extra time. [25] The team's World Cup–winning managers are César Luis Menotti in 1978, Carlos Bilardo in 1986 and Lionel Scaloni in 2022.
Argentina has also been very successful in the South American Football Championship, the Copa América, winning it 16 times; they were crowned champions most recently in 2024. The team also won the inaugural FIFA Confederations Cup in 1992 and the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions in 1993 and 2022.
In March 2007, Argentina reached the top of the FIFA Men's World Ranking for the first time. [26]
Argentina plays most of its home matches at River Plate's stadium, Estadio Monumental, in Buenos Aires, [27] [28] although the team also uses various other venues frequently, such as Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades [29] [30] and Boca Juniors' stadium, La Bombonera. [30] Those venues, along with Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes and Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, [31] were used for the 2022 World Cup qualification. [32] Additionally, Argentina played some matches at Rosario Central's stadium, Estadio Gigante de Arroyito, during their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign. [33] [34] [35]
GEBA Stadium was the first stadium Argentina used for its home matches; that includes the Copa Newton match against Uruguay held on 13 September 1908, [36] which has a historic significance for being the first time Argentina wore the light blue and white-striped jersey in an official match, which has since then been the defining uniform up to the present day. [37] GEBA was also used for the Copa Centenario Revolución de Mayo, the first competition held between South American national teams, considered the predecessor of Copa América, organised by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) in 1910. Most recently, Argentina played at GEBA on 19 October 1919, winning the Copa Premier Honor Argentino after a 6–1 victory over Uruguay. [38]
Furthermore, Estadio Sportivo Barracas is also considered a memorable venue for Argentina; the stadium was commonly used by Argentina from 1920 to 1932. Playing at the stadium for La Albiceleste on 2 October 1924, forward Cesáreo Onzari scored directly from a corner kick, the first such incident in football, when Argentina beat Uruguay 2–1; such goals are now often referred as Olympic goals due to the fact that Uruguay had just won the 1924 Olympic title. [39] [40] [41] Sportivo Barracas was later demolished after 1936. [42]
The first kit ever worn by Argentina, in their official debut against Uruguay in 1902, included a light blue shirt. [43] [44] On 2 July 1908, Argentina debuted a shirt with light blue vertical stripes on a white jersey, which they used when they played a side formed of Campeonato Paulista players at Velódromo Paulistano; [45] they used the jersey in an official match against Uruguay on 13 September 1908, and the striped jersey has remained as the definitive kit for Argentina ever since then. [37] The team's away kits have been in dark blue shades, with the colours of shorts and socks varying from time to time. [46]
Argentina has also sported other kits; on 3 June 1919 in Rio de Janeiro, playing against Brazil, Argentina wore a light blue kit, similar to that of Uruguay, out of respect for Roberto Chery, a substitute goalkeeper for Uruguay, who had collapsed and died during a match against Chile at the 1919 South American Championship; [47] [48] the match between Argentina and Brazil was organised by the Brazilian Football Confederation for the benefit of Chery's relatives. At the 1958 World Cup, Argentina wore the yellow jersey of Swedish club IFK Malmö against West Germany, as the team had arrived in Sweden without an away kit.
At the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, the then manager, Carlos Bilardo, asked the team's kit supplier, Le Coq Sportif, for lighter blue shirts for their quarter-final against England in three days, but they could not be provided. Then, a member of the coaching staff scoured the shops of Mexico City for 38 plain shirts, which were transformed with an improvised version of the AFA emblem embroidered on the shirts [49] and silvery American football numbers ironed to the backs. [50]
Sporting the makeshift jerseys, Argentina beat England on 22 June, with Diego Maradona scoring his famous "Hand of God goal". [51] [52] Afterwards, the shirt became a symbol of the occasion and an important collector's item. [53]
At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Argentina debuted a black away kit; [54] and at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, they wore a purple away kit in a competitive match for the first time. [55] [56]
Kit supplier | Period | Ref. |
---|---|---|
St. Margaret | 1901–1924 | [57] |
Gath & Chaves | 1925–1934 | [57] [58] |
(no data for the 1935–1957 period) | ||
Industria Lanús | 1958–1963 | [59] [57] |
Noceto Sports | 1964–1965 | [60] [61] [57] |
Sportlandia | 1966 | [62] [57] |
Industria Lanús | 1967–1974 | [62] [57] |
Adidas | 1974–1979 | [58] [63] |
Le Coq Sportif | 1980–1989 | [58] [64] |
Adidas | 1990–1998 | [63] [65] |
Reebok | 1999–2001 | [66] |
Adidas | 2001–present | [63] |
Argentina has used the logo of the Argentine Football Association as its emblem since it was first worn at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden; the logo was added to the team's jackets, but not the shirts. [49] The emblem was not used on jerseys until 16 November 1976, when Argentina played the Soviet Union at Estadio Monumental. At the beginning, the crest used did not include a laurel wreath, [67] which was first added for the 1982 World Cup. [49]
As a respected and common practice, [68] two stars were added above the crest in 2004, symbolising Argentina's World Cup titles in 1978 and 1986. [67] In 2022, a third star was added after Argentina were crowned world champions for the third time. [69]
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
16 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Argentina | 0–2 | Uruguay | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
21:00 ART (UTC−3) | Report | Stadium: La Bombonera Attendance: 51,900 Referee: Wilmar Roldán (Colombia) |
21 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Brazil | 0–1 | Argentina | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
21:30 BRA (UTC−3) | Report |
| Stadium: Maracanã Attendance: 68,138 Referee: Piero Maza (Chile) |
22 March Friendly | Argentina | 3–0 | El Salvador | Philadelphia, United States |
20:00 EDT (UTC−4) | Report | Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Victor Rivas (United States) |
26 March Friendly | Argentina | 3–1 | Costa Rica | Los Angeles, United States |
19:50 PDT (UTC−7) |
| Report |
| Stadium: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Attendance: 20,000 Referee: Josef Mickelson (United States) [70] |
9 June Friendly | Argentina | 1–0 | Ecuador | Chicago, United States |
17:30 CDT (UTC−5) |
| Report | Stadium: Soldier Field Attendance: 51,090 Referee: Drew Fischer (Canada) |
14 June Friendly | Argentina | 4–1 | Guatemala | Landover, United States |
20:00 EDT (UTC−4) |
| Report |
| Stadium: Commanders Field Attendance: 65,000 Referee: Joseph Dickerson (United States) |
20 June 2024 Copa América GS | Argentina | 2–0 | Canada | Atlanta, United States |
20:00 EDT (UTC−4) |
| Report | Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium Attendance: 70,564 Referee: Jesús Valenzuela (Venezuela) |
25 June 2024 Copa América GS | Chile | 0–1 | Argentina | East Rutherford, United States |
21:00 EDT (UTC−4) | Report |
| Stadium: MetLife Stadium Attendance: 81,106 Referee: Andrés Matonte (Uruguay) |
29 June 2024 Copa América GS | Argentina | 2–0 | Peru | Miami Gardens, United States |
20:00 EDT (UTC−4) |
| Report | Stadium: Hard Rock Stadium Attendance: 64,972 Referee: César Arturo Ramos (Mexico) |
4 July 2024 Copa América QF | Argentina | 1–1 (4–2 p) | Ecuador | Houston, United States |
20:00 CDT (UTC−5) |
| Report |
| Stadium: NRG Stadium Attendance: 69,456 Referee: Andrés Matonte (Uruguay) |
Penalties | ||||
9 July 2024 Copa América SF | Argentina | 2–0 | Canada | East Rutherford, United States |
20:00 EDT (UTC−4) | Report | Stadium: MetLife Stadium Attendance: 80,102 Referee: Piero Maza (Chile) |
14 July 2024 Copa América final | Argentina | 1–0 (a.e.t.) | Colombia | Miami Gardens, United States |
20:00 EDT (UTC−4) |
| Report | Stadium: Hard Rock Stadium Attendance: 65,300 Referee: Raphael Claus (Brazil) |
5 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Argentina | 3–0 | Chile | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
21:00 ART (UTC−3) |
| Report | Stadium: Más Monumental Attendance: 52,160 Referee: Jesús Valenzuela (Venezuela) |
10 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Colombia | 2–1 | Argentina | Barranquilla, Colombia |
17:30 COT (UTC−5) | Report |
| Stadium: Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez Referee: Piero Maza (Chile) |
10 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Venezuela | 1–1 | Argentina | Maturín, Venezuela |
17:00 VEN (UTC−4) |
| Report |
| Stadium: Estadio Monumental Referee: Gustavo Tejera (Uruguay) |
15 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Argentina | 6–0 | Bolivia | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
21:00 ARG (UTC−3) |
| Report | Stadium: Más Monumental Referee: Kevin Ortega (Peru) |
14 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Paraguay | v | Argentina | Asunción, Paraguay |
20:30 PAR (UTC−3) | Report | Stadium: Estadio Defensores del Chaco Referee: Anderson Daronco (Brazil) |
19 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Argentina | v | Peru | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
21:45 ARG (UTC−3) | Report | Stadium: La Bombonera Referee: Wilmar Roldán (Colombia) |
Position | Name |
---|---|
Head coach | Lionel Scaloni |
Assistant coach | Pablo Aimar |
Roberto Ayala | |
Walter Samuel | |
Goalkeeping coach | Martín Tocalli |
Fitness coach | Luis Martín |
Video analyst | Matías Manna |
Team coordinator | Nicolás Russo |
Academy manager | Bernardo Romeo |
Base camp coordinator | Oscar Dertycia |
Goalkeeping coordinator | Mauro Dobler |
The following 28 players were named in the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches on 14 and 19 November 2024 against Paraguay and Peru, respectively. [71]
Caps and goals are correct as of 15 October 2024, after the match against Bolivia.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | GK | Walter Benítez | 19 January 1993 | 1 | 0 | PSV Eindhoven |
12 | GK | Gerónimo Rulli | 20 May 1992 | 6 | 0 | Marseille |
GK | Emiliano Martínez | 2 September 1992 | 47 | 0 | Aston Villa | |
3 | DF | Nicolás Tagliafico | 28 October 1991 | 65 | 1 | Lyon |
4 | DF | Gonzalo Montiel | 1 January 1997 | 34 | 1 | Sevilla |
13 | DF | Cristian Romero | 27 April 1998 | 39 | 3 | Tottenham Hotspur |
17 | DF | Leonardo Balerdi | 26 January 1999 | 3 | 0 | Marseille |
16 | DF | Nahuel Molina | 6 April 1998 | 47 | 1 | Atlético Madrid |
19 | DF | Nicolás Otamendi (vice-captain) | 12 February 1988 | 121 | 7 | Benfica |
DF | Nehuén Pérez | 24 June 2000 | 2 | 0 | Porto | |
DF | Facundo Medina | 28 May 1999 | 3 | 0 | Lens | |
5 | MF | Leandro Paredes | 29 June 1994 | 68 | 5 | Roma |
7 | MF | Rodrigo De Paul | 24 May 1994 | 73 | 2 | Atlético Madrid |
8 | MF | Enzo Fernández | 17 January 2001 | 32 | 4 | Chelsea |
11 | MF | Facundo Buonanotte | 23 December 2004 | 2 | 0 | Leicester City |
14 | MF | Exequiel Palacios | 5 October 1998 | 32 | 0 | Bayer Leverkusen |
15 | MF | Thiago Almada | 26 April 2001 | 6 | 2 | Botafogo |
20 | MF | Alexis Mac Allister | 24 December 1998 | 34 | 3 | Liverpool |
18 | MF | Nico Paz | 8 September 2004 | 1 | 0 | Como |
MF | Giovani Lo Celso | 9 April 1996 | 60 | 3 | Real Betis | |
MF | Enzo Barrenechea | 22 May 2001 | 0 | 0 | Valencia | |
9 | FW | Julián Alvarez | 31 January 2000 | 40 | 11 | Atlético Madrid |
10 | FW | Lionel Messi (captain) | 24 June 1987 | 189 | 112 | Inter Miami |
22 | FW | Lautaro Martínez | 22 August 1997 | 68 | 30 | Inter Milan |
FW | Alejandro Garnacho | 1 July 2004 | 7 | 0 | Manchester United | |
FW | Valentín Castellanos | 3 October 1998 | 1 | 0 | Lazio |
The following players have also been called up for the team in the last twelve months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Juan Musso | 6 May 1994 | 2 | 0 | Atlético Madrid | v. Bolivia , 15 October 2024 |
GK | Franco Armani RET | 16 October 1986 | 19 | 0 | River Plate | 2024 Copa América |
DF | Germán Pezzella | 27 June 1991 | 42 | 3 | River Plate | v. Paraguay , 14 November 2024 INJ |
DF | Lisandro Martínez | 18 January 1998 | 26 | 1 | Manchester United | v. Paraguay , 14 November 2024 INJ |
DF | Julio Soler | 16 February 2005 | 0 | 0 | Lanús | v. Bolivia , 15 October 2024 |
DF | Marcos Acuña | 28 October 1991 | 61 | 0 | River Plate | v. Venezuela , 10 October 2024 INJ |
DF | Valentín Barco | 23 July 2004 | 2 | 0 | Sevilla | v. Colombia , 10 September 2024 |
DF | Lucas Martínez Quarta | 10 May 1996 | 15 | 0 | Fiorentina | 2024 Copa América |
DF | Nicolás Valentini | 6 April 2001 | 0 | 0 | Boca Juniors | v. Costa Rica , 26 March 2024 |
DF | Marcos Senesi | 10 May 1997 | 1 | 0 | Bournemouth | v. El Salvador , 22 March 2024 INJ |
MF | Guido Rodríguez | 12 April 1994 | 30 | 1 | West Ham United | v. Colombia , 10 September 2024 |
MF | Ezequiel Fernández | 25 July 2002 | 0 | 0 | Al-Qadsiah | v. Colombia , 10 September 2024 |
FW | Nico González | 6 April 1998 | 41 | 6 | Juventus | v. Paraguay , 14 November 2024 INJ |
FW | Paulo Dybala | 15 November 1993 | 40 | 4 | Roma | v. Venezuela , 10 October 2024 INJ |
FW | Valentín Carboni | 5 March 2005 | 3 | 0 | Marseille | v. Venezuela , 10 October 2024 INJ |
FW | Giuliano Simeone | 18 December 2002 | 0 | 0 | Atlético Madrid | v. Colombia , 10 September 2024 |
FW | Matías Soulé | 15 April 2003 | 0 | 0 | Roma | v. Colombia , 10 September 2024 |
FW | Ángel Di María RET | 14 February 1988 | 145 | 31 | Benfica | 2024 Copa América |
FW | Ángel Correa | 9 March 1995 | 25 | 3 | Atlético Madrid | v. Guatemala , 15 June 2024 PRE |
COV Withdrew from the squad due to quarantine or infection by COVID-19 |
Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lionel Messi | 189 | 112 | 2005–present |
2 | Javier Mascherano | 147 | 3 | 2003–2018 |
3 | Ángel Di María | 145 | 31 | 2008–2024 |
Javier Zanetti | 145 | 5 | 1994–2011 | |
5 | Nicolás Otamendi | 121 | 7 | 2009–present |
6 | Roberto Ayala | 115 | 7 | 1994–2007 |
7 | Diego Simeone | 104 | 11 | 1988–2002 |
8 | Sergio Agüero | 101 | 41 | 2006–2021 |
9 | Oscar Ruggeri | 97 | 7 | 1983–1994 |
10 | Sergio Romero | 96 | 0 | 2009–2018 |
Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lionel Messi (list) | 112 | 189 | 0.59 | 2005–present |
2 | Gabriel Batistuta (list) | 56 | 78 | 0.72 | 1991–2002 |
3 | Sergio Agüero | 41 | 101 | 0.41 | 2006–2021 |
4 | Hernán Crespo | 35 | 64 | 0.55 | 1995–2007 |
5 | Diego Maradona (list) | 34 | 91 | 0.37 | 1977–1994 |
6 | Gonzalo Higuaín | 31 | 75 | 0.41 | 2009–2018 |
Ángel Di María | 31 | 145 | 0.21 | 2008–2024 | |
8 | Lautaro Martínez | 30 | 68 | 0.44 | 2018–present |
9 | Luis Artime | 24 | 25 | 0.96 | 1961–1967 |
10 | Leopoldo Luque | 22 | 45 | 0.49 | 1975–1981 |
Daniel Passarella | 22 | 70 | 0.31 | 1976–1986 |
Year | Player | Caps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
1978 | Daniel Passarella | 70 | 22 |
1986 | Diego Maradona | 91 | 34 |
2022 | Lionel Messi | 189 | 112 |
Champions Runners-up Third place Tournament played fully or partially on home soil
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 of 16 | 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 | Second group stage | 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 | Second group stage | 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 | Champions | 1st | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 8 | Squad | 17 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 27 | 8 | |
2026 | Qualification in progress | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 19 | 5 | |||||||||
2030 | Qualified as commemorative match hosts | Qualified as commemorative match hosts | ||||||||||||||
2034 | To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
Total | 3 Titles | 18/22 | 88 | 47 | 17 | 24 | 152 | 101 | — | 163 | 93 | 43 | 27 | 281 | 140 |
South American Championship / Copa América record | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad |
1916 | Runners-up | 2nd | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 2 | Squad |
1917 | Runners-up | 2nd | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | Squad |
1919 | Third place | 3rd | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 7 | Squad |
1920 | Runners-up | 2nd | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | Squad |
1921 | Champions | 1st | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | Squad |
1922 | Fourth place | 4th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 3 | Squad |
1923 | Runners-up | 2nd | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | Squad |
1924 | Runners-up | 2nd | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Squad |
1925 | Champions | 1st | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 4 | Squad |
1926 | Runners-up | 2nd | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 3 | Squad |
1927 | Champions | 1st | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 4 | Squad |
1929 | Champions | 1st | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | Squad |
1935 | Runners-up | 2nd | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 5 | Squad |
1937 | Champions | 1st | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 5 | Squad |
1939 | Withdrew | ||||||||
1941 | Champions | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | Squad |
1942 | Runners-up | 2nd | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 6 | Squad |
1945 | Champions | 1st | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 5 | Squad |
1946 | Champions | 1st | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 3 | Squad |
1947 | Champions | 1st | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 4 | Squad |
1949 | Withdrew | ||||||||
1953 | |||||||||
1955 | Champions | 1st | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 6 | Squad |
1956 | Third place | 3rd | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 3 | Squad |
1957 | Champions | 1st | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 25 | 6 | Squad |
1959 | Champions | 1st | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 5 | Squad |
1959 | Runners-up | 2nd | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 9 | Squad |
1963 | Third place | 3rd | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 10 | Squad |
1967 | Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 3 | Squad |
1975 | Group stage | 5th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 4 | Squad |
1979 | Group stage | 8th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 6 | Squad |
1983 | Group stage | 6th | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 4 | Squad |
1987 | Fourth place | 4th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | Squad |
1989 | Third place | 3rd | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | Squad |
1991 | Champions | 1st | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 6 | Squad |
1993 | Champions | 1st | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 4 | Squad |
1995 | Quarter-finals | 5th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 6 | Squad |
1997 | Quarter-finals | 6th | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | Squad |
1999 | Quarter-finals | 8th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 | Squad |
2001 | Withdrew | ||||||||
2004 | Runners-up | 2nd | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 6 | Squad |
2007 | Runners-up | 2nd | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 6 | Squad |
2011 | Quarter-finals | 7th | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 2 | Squad |
2015 | Runners-up | 2nd | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 3 | Squad |
2016 | Runners-up | 2nd | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 2 | Squad |
2019 | Third place | 3rd | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 6 | Squad |
2021 | Champions | 1st | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 3 | Squad |
2024 | Champions | 1st | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 1 | Squad |
Total | 16 Titles | 44/48 | 208 | 132 | 43 | 33 | 483 | 183 | — |
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
1985 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1993 | Champions | 1st | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
2022 | Champions | 1st | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
2025 | Qualified | |||||||
Total | 2 Titles | 2/3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
FIFA Confederations Cup record | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad |
1992 | Champions | 1st | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | Squad |
1995 | Runners-up | 2nd | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | Squad |
1997 | Did not qualify | ||||||||
1999 | |||||||||
2001 | |||||||||
2003 | |||||||||
2005 | Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 10 | Squad |
2009 | Did not qualify | ||||||||
2013 | |||||||||
2017 | |||||||||
Total | 1 Title | 3/10 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 22 | 14 | — |
Olympic Games record | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad |
1896 | No football tournament | ||||||||
1900 | Only club teams participated | ||||||||
1904 | |||||||||
1908 | Did not participate | ||||||||
1912 | |||||||||
1920 | |||||||||
1924 | |||||||||
1928 | Silver medal | 2nd | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 7 | Squad |
1932 | No football tournament | ||||||||
1936 | Did not participate | ||||||||
1948 | |||||||||
1952 | |||||||||
1956 | |||||||||
1960 | Quarter-finals | 7th | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | Squad |
1964 | Group stage | 10th | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | Squad |
1968 | Did not qualify | ||||||||
1972 | |||||||||
1976 | |||||||||
1980 | Qualified but withdrew | ||||||||
1984 | Did not qualify | ||||||||
1988 | Quarter-finals | 8th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | Squad |
Since 1992 | See Argentina national under-23 football team | ||||||||
Total | 1 Silver medal | 4/19 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 38 | 20 | — |
Pan American Games record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
1951 | Gold medal | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 2 |
1955 | Gold medal | 1st | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 7 |
1959 | Gold medal | 1st | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 4 |
1963 | Silver medal | 2nd | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 3 |
1967 | Preliminary round | 5th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 3 |
1971 | Gold medal | 1st | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 4 |
1975 | Bronze medal | 3rd | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 1 |
1979 | Bronze medal | 3rd | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
1983 | Preliminary round | 5th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
1987 | Bronze medal | 3rd | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 3 |
1991 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1995 | Gold medal | 1st | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 4 |
Since 1999 | See Argentina national under-23 football team | |||||||
Total | 5 Gold medals | 11/12 | 55 | 39 | 12 | 4 | 139 | 35 |
Below is a result summary of all matches Argentina has played against FIFA recognised teams. [73]
Positive record Neutral record Negative record
Opponents | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Albania | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 100% |
Algeria | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 100% |
Angola | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100% |
Australia | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 8 | +8 | 77.7% |
Austria | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 50% |
Belarus | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Belgium | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 4 | +8 | 80% |
Bolivia | 43 | 31 | 5 | 7 | 116 | 36 | +80 | 72% |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | +8 | 100% |
Brazil [note 3] [74] | 110 | 42 | 26 | 42 | 163 | 166 | –3 | 38.1% |
Bulgaria | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 6 | +12 | 88.8% |
Cameroon | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | –1 | 0% |
Canada | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | +9 | 100% |
Chile | 96 | 63 | 27 | 6 | 200 | 74 | +126 | 65.6% |
China | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | –1 | 0% |
Colombia | 42 | 21 | 11 | 10 | 73 | 41 | +32 | 50% |
Costa Rica | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 6 | +11 | 75% |
Croatia | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 50% |
Curaçao | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 100% |
Czechoslovakia | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 10 | –3 | 33.3% |
Denmark | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | –2 | 0% |
East Germany | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 50% |
Ecuador | 41 | 24 | 12 | 5 | 99 | 36 | +63 | 58.5% |
Egypt | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | +8 | 100% |
El Salvador | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 100% |
England [note 4] | 15 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 18 | 22 | –4 | 28.5% |
Estonia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 100% |
France | 13 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 18 | 14 | +4 | 46.1% |
Germany [a] | 23 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 34 | 33 | +1 | 43.4% |
Ghana | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100% |
Greece | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 100% |
Guatemala | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 | +16 | 100% |
Haiti | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | +11 | 100% |
Honduras | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 100% |
Hong Kong | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 100% |
Hungary | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 6 | +9 | 71.4% |
Iceland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0% |
India | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100% |
Indonesia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100% |
Iran | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 50% |
Iraq | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 100% |
Israel | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 6 | +8 | 60% |
Italy | 16 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 18 | 22 | –4 | 31.2% |
Ivory Coast | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 100% |
Jamaica | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | +10 | 100% |
Japan | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 4 | +11 | 85.7% |
Libya | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 100% |
Lithuania | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Mexico | 32 | 16 | 12 | 4 | 53 | 28 | +25 | 50% |
Morocco | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 100% |
Netherlands | 10 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 15 | –7 | 10% |
Nicaragua | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 100% |
Nigeria | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 13 | +2 | 66.6% |
Northern Ireland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 100% |
Norway | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | –2 | 0% |
Panama | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | +9 | 100% |
Paraguay | 107 | 56 | 35 | 16 | 218 | 111 | +107 | 52.3 |
Peru | 55 | 36 | 14 | 5 | 109 | 45 | +64 | 65.4% |
Poland | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 20 | 12 | +8 | 58.3% |
Portugal | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 7 | +6 | 62.5% |
Qatar | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 100% |
Republic of Ireland | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 83.3% |
Romania | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 6 | +6 | 66.6% |
Russia [b] | 13 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 13 | 11 | +2 | 30.7% |
Saudi Arabia | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 40% |
Serbia and Montenegro [c] | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 21 | 15 | +6 | 50% |
Scotland | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 50% |
Singapore | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 100% |
South Africa | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 50% |
South Korea | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 4 | +6 | 75% |
Slovakia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 100% |
Slovenia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100% |
Spain | 14 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 18 | 19 | –1 | 42.8% |
Sweden | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 33.3% |
Switzerland | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 3 | +12 | 71.4% |
Trinidad and Tobago | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 100% |
Tunisia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 100% |
United Arab Emirates | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 100% |
United States | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 30 | 9 | +21 | 63.6% |
Uruguay | 203 | 94 | 49 | 60 | 325 | 236 | +89 | 46.3% |
Venezuela | 28 | 23 | 3 | 2 | 91 | 19 | +72 | 84.8% |
Wales | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 50% |
Total (82) | 1086 | 600 | 264 | 221 | 2054 | 1095 | +959 | 55% |
Argentina and Brazil have a fierce rivalry which is one of the oldest in South America. [75] Matches between the two teams, even those that are only friendly matches, are often marked by notable and controversial incidents. The rivalry has also been referred to as the "Battle of the Americas." FIFA has described it as the "essence of football rivalry". [76]
The rivalry has extended to comparisons between Pelé and Diego Maradona. [77] [78] Some of their countrymen also feature regularly in such debates. The next most notable pair are perhaps Garrincha (Brazilian) [79] and Alfredo Di Stéfano (Argentine). [80] The most dominant figures from the two countries in the modern game are Neymar (Brazilian) and Lionel Messi (Argentine). Both Pelé and Maradona have declared Neymar and Messi their respective "successors". [81] [82]
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, if not the greatest goal in football history.
The nations were paired together in the Round of 16 at the 1998 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.
Argentina has played Germany in seven FIFA World Cup matches including three FIFA World Cup finals: In 1986 Argentina won 3–2, but in the 1990 and 2014 it was the Germans who were the victors by a 1–0 scoreline both times.
In 1958 they met for the first time in the group stage, where Argentina suffered a 1–3 loss to defending champions West Germany. [83] In 1966 both again faced each other in the group stage which ended in a scoreless draw. [84] In 2006, they met in the quarter-finals; Argentina lost on penalties after a 1–1 draw, which was followed by a brawl on the pitch involving several players. [85] [86] 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 was defeated in extra time by a score of 1–0.
Argentina has a long-standing rivalry with its neighbour, 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. [3] The two teams have faced each other 197 times since 1902. The first match between Argentina and Uruguay was also the first official international match to be played outside the United Kingdom. [note 5]
Argentina has a minor rivalry with Mexico, which developed in the 1990s. The rivalry is considered one-sided as Argentines do not consider Mexico as rivals. Although the first official match between both nations came in the 1930 FIFA World Cup where Argentina beat Mexico 6–3 in the group stage, the rivalry emerged during the late twentieth century, especially after the 1993 Copa América final, where Argentina beat Mexico 2–1. [88] [89] [90] That was the first time a non-CONMEBOL nation played in a Copa América final, and the first final played between both sides. [91]
The rivalry has continued in club competitions, where Argentine and Mexicans first met in 1968 Copa Interamericana. The rivalry between both nations at club level increased during the late 1990s, when Mexican clubs were invited to participate in Copa Libertadores, where they played memorable matches against Boca Juniors. [92]
During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, some Mexican and Argentine fans had a fight in Doha prior to the match between both sides, among great animosity. [93] Both supporters fought again inside Lusail Stadium after the match that Argentina won 2–0, giving Argentina a chance to qualify and forcing Mexico to win against Saudi Arabia to qualify, which ended with Argentina and Poland qualifying and Mexico being eliminated alongside Saudi Arabia. [94]
This sense of rivalry is more keenly felt by Mexican supporters and media, since Argentines do not consider Mexico rivals like Brazil, Germany, Uruguay or England.
A recurrent 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. [95] [96] [97] [98] [99] [100] This has included five World Cup group matches, 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, [101] 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 [102] and 2018 [103] World Cup fixtures.
The sense of rivalry is more keenly felt on the Nigerian side, as Argentina has won almost all of their encounters, so they do not consider Nigeria a rival like Brazil, England, Uruguay or Germany, in contrast to the West Africans who remain keen to finally overcome a more illustrious foe. [96]
Considered by sports media to be two historically great teams, [104] the Argentines and Dutch have developed an intense rivalry. They have met ten times in total, including six times during the World Cup. [105] [106] [107]
The two teams first met on 26 May 1974 in an international friendly, won by the Netherlands 4–1. Their most high-profile matchup occurred in the 1978 World Cup final which was won by Argentina. [108] One of the most recent and intense meetings happened in the 2022 World Cup, a 2–2 draw where Argentina advanced on penalties, in what is known as the Battle of Lusail. [109] [110]
Host nation | Tournament | Year | No. |
---|---|---|---|
Argentina | Copa América | 1921 | 1st |
1925 | 2nd | ||
Peru | 1927 | 3rd | |
Argentina | 1929 | 4th | |
1937 | 5th | ||
Chile | 1941 | 6th | |
1945 | 7th | ||
Argentina | 1946 | 8th | |
Ecuador | 1947 | 9th | |
Chile | 1955 | 10th | |
Peru | 1957 | 11th | |
Argentina | 1959 | 12th | |
Costa Rica | Panamerican Championship | 1960 | 13th |
Argentina | World Cup | 1978 | 14th |
Mexico | 1986 | 15th | |
Chile | Copa América | 1991 | 16th |
Saudi Arabia | Confederations Cup | 1992 | 17th |
Argentina | CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions | 1993 | 18th |
Ecuador | Copa América | 1993 | 19th |
Brazil | 2021 | 20th | |
England | CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions | 2022 | 21st |
Qatar | World Cup | 2022 | 22nd |
United States | Copa América | 2024 | 23rd |
Senior competition | Total | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
FIFA World Cup | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
FIFA Confederations Cup | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
Olympic Games | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Copa América | 16 | 14 | 5 | 35 |
Panamerican Championship | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Total | 23 | 21 | 5 | 49 |
Diego Armando Maradona Franco was an Argentine professional football player and manager. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, he was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award, alongside Pelé.
The Uruguay national football team, nicknamed La Celeste, represents Uruguay in international men's football, and is administered by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay.
The Colombia national football team, nicknamed Los Cafeteros, represents Colombia in men's international football and is managed by the Colombian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Colombia. They are a member of CONMEBOL and are currently ranked 10th in the FIFA World Rankings. The team are nicknamed Los Cafeteros due to the coffee production in their country. The national team has been a symbol of nationalism, pride and passion for many Colombians worldwide. Colombia is known for having a passionate fan base, and the team's dances during goal celebrations have been symbolic.
The Chile national football team, nicknamed La Roja, represents Chile in men's international football competitions and is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. Chile has appeared in nine World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup where they finished in third place, the highest position the country has ever achieved in the World Cup.
Roberto Fabián Ayala, nicknamed El Ratón, is an Argentine former footballer who played as a centre back for the Argentina national football team, as well as Valencia and Real Zaragoza in Spain, Milan and Napoli in Italy, and Ferro Carril, River Plate and Racing Club in his native Argentina.
Cristian Alberto 'Kily' González Peret is an Argentine football manager and former professional player who played mainly as a left winger, and is the manager of Unión.
Association football is the most popular sport in Argentina and part of the culture in the country. It is the one with the most players and is the most popular recreational sport, played from childhood into old age. The percentage of Argentines that declare allegiance to an Argentine football club is about 90%.
Lionel Andrés Messi, also known as Leo Messi, is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Argentina national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Messi set numerous records for individual accolades won throughout his professional footballing career such as eight Ballon d'Or awards and eight times being named the world's best player by FIFA. He is the most decorated player in the history of professional football having won 45 team trophies, including twelve league titles, four UEFA Champions Leagues, two Copa Américas, and one FIFA World Cup. Messi holds the records for most European Golden Shoes (6), most goals for a single club, most goals (474), hat-tricks (36) and assists (192) in La Liga, most matches played (39), assists (18) and goal contributions (34) in the Copa América, most matches played (26) and goal contributions (21) in the World Cup, most international appearances (189) and international goals (112) by a South American male, and the second-most in the latter category outright. A prolific goalscorer and creative playmaker, Messi has scored over 850 senior career goals for club and country.
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The Argentina–Brazil football rivalry is an association football sports rivalry between the Brazilian and Argentinian national teams. The rivalry is considered one of the biggest and fiercest in international football and FIFA has described it as the "essence of football rivalry". As both local and regional federation rivals in South America, clashes have been described as both the Battle of the Americas or the Superclassic of the Americas. Initially a cordial friendly competition between the two nations, the ferocity of the rivalry grew in the early part of the 20th century, marked by repeated controversial high profile incidents and periods of refusing to play each other.
Oscar Alfredo Ustari is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami CF.
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Nicolás Hernán Gonzalo Otamendi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for and captains Primeira Liga club Benfica.
This is a list of statistical records for the Argentina national football team.
The history of the Argentina national football team begins with their first official match, played on 20 July 1902 against Uruguay, a 6–0 win in Paso del Molino, Montevideo. One year before, There had been a precedent when representatives from both sides met in a match also in Montevideo, although it was not organised by any association and therefore is not considered official.
Guido Rodríguez is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Premier League club West Ham United and the Argentina national team.
The Argentina–Uruguay football rivalry, also known as Clásico del Río de la Plata, is a highly competitive sports rivalry that exists between the Argentine and Uruguayan national football teams and their respective set of fans. Considered by football journalists and fans alike as one of the most important rivalries in the sport, the derby is also the most played in football history. According to FIFA records, 197 official matches have been played to date, the first of which was played on 20 July 1902, in which both teams played the first international match outside the United Kingdom in Uruguay, with Argentina winning by 6–0.
1916: The first USFA Men's National Team traveled to Norway and Sweden. The Americans played six matches on this tour, finishing 3-1-2.