Despite being one of the most supported teams across the globe, thanks to the residence of two icons, namely Diego Armando Maradona and Lionel Messi, Argentina’s success in the international circuit has been limited.
They had a rollicking start to their World Cup campaign as they went on to appear in the finals of the opening World Cup but eventually lost to Uruguay. However, they started rocking the world towards the latter half of the 20th century, thanks to some insane showdown from the God of football himself. They trumped over the solid Netherlands team in 1978 and became the champions again in 1986, courtesy of Diego Maradona.
Sadly, that was the last time Argentina would lift the glorious trophy in the face of a brutal and demanding world. Despite coming close to the trophy twice, they were humbled by West Germany and Germany to leave them begging.
With all said and done, Argentina has produced some brilliant strikers and goal-scorers over the glittering span of their football. From Maradona to Messi, the attacking lot for La Albiceleste has been absolutely extraordinary.
We will be taking a look at five of their highest goal-scorers who have rocked and rolled the world with their brilliant brand of football.
Players with the highest number of goals for Argentina:
5. Diego Maradona – 34 goals
Sadly, one of their best players ever, Maradona features in the fifth position on this prestigious list. Despite featuring for 17 years in the national team, he could only conjure 90 appearances for the national side. Spanning from that infamous ‘hand of God’ goal to that extraordinary dance down the pitch, twisting the defenders in an invisible Guardian Knot, Maradona was absolutely untenable in the national circuit.
He had a significant stint for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli and Sevilla. His most remarkable stint came for the Argentinos Juniors and Napoli. He racked up 259 goals from 491 appearances for all the clubs combined. For Argentina, he slammed 34 goals from 91 appearances at a decent rate of 0.37 goals per match.
4. Hernan Crespo – 35 goals
Given the fact that you spend a lifetime building a scintillating resume, this man’s C.V. is as fascinating it gets. Crespo has plied his trade for illustrious clubs like River Plate, Parma, Lazio, Inter Milan, Chelsea, AC Milan, Genoa and Parma. This man played 453 matches at the club level and bagged 197 goals.
He caught the eye of the scouts playing for the Argentine U-23 team where he scored 6 goals in 6 matches. This is also when his fortune came knocking both at the national and the club level. He played 64 matches for Argentina scoring a rambunctious 35 goals at a stunning average of 0.55 goals per game.
3. Sergio Aguero – 41 goals
Needless to say that Aguero is an absolute beast ahead of the Argentine goal. Probably Argentina’s best striker in the last decennium and a half alongside Lionel Messi, his new destination at the club level will also be alongside the Argentine God at Camp Nou. Aguero was a legend at Manchester City where he played 275 matches and smashed 184 strikes. Even before his remarkable stint at City, he was also a reckoning scoring force for Atletico Madrid.
He started playing for the national Argentine team in 2006 and has starred in 106 matches since then, blasting 41 goals for them at a decent average of 0.41 goals per game. He is still relentless and can eventually be Scaloni’s emphatic cog when Argentina collides with Brazil in the Copa America final on Sunday morning.
2. Gabriel Batistuta – 54 goals
Despite being a phenomenal goal machine, Batistuta failed to live up to his heightened billing at the club level. The best clubs that he could bag a contract with were Inter Milan, Fiorentina and Roma. Fiorentina got a new lease of life after landing the Argentine icon and he repaid their faith in the brightest fashion as he smashed 169 goals from 269 appearances for Viola.
He spearheaded the Argentine team where he was their solitary shaft of hope in a somewhat murky phase. After the 1990’s bedazzling display, Argentina somehow started lacking the sting and they had to turn around to this towering striker to hammer them home in tough circumstances. He featured in 77 appearances from which he managed to strike 54 goals at a stellar average of 0.7 goals per game.
1. Lionel Messi – 76 goals
In fact, if we take a close look at the Argentine records, I believe that Messi would top them all if not in the department of defence and goal-keeping. A predator, an artist, a messiah and no matter how many epithets you try to pen for this man, he will surpass it.
He has been playing for Argentina since 2005 and has featured in 150 appearances. He rocked 76 goals for the Argentine national team and has so far been Argentina’s most shining light in the ongoing Copa America. As he will be heading towards the grand finale of the tournament on Sunday, he will be facing one of his biggest challenges as he will be hell-bent to lift the maiden national silverware for himself.
