The Best Argentina Midfielders Ever

The Best Argentina Midfielders Ever

Argentina has produced some of the greatest footballers in history, especially in the midfield. Here’s a look at some of the nation’s finest-ever midfielders:

1. Jorge Burruchaga

While Diego Maradona stole the limelight during Argentina’s victorious 1986 World Cup campaign, Jorge Burruchaga played a pivotal role, scoring the decisive goal in the final against West Germany. An attacking midfielder, Burruchaga had two stints at Independiente and spent seven seasons in France with Nantes. He scored 13 goals in 59 international appearances and was also part of the Argentina squad that reached the World Cup final again in 1990.

2. Javier Mascherano

A tireless workhorse, Javier Mascherano earned 147 caps for Argentina and was a key figure in their midfield for over a decade. Though he missed out on Argentina’s most recent successes, he was integral in five finals appearances for the Albiceleste. Mascherano also won two gold medals at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games and was a vital part of Barcelona’s golden era, even adapting to play as a central defender for the Catalan club.

3. Osvaldo Ardiles

Osvaldo “Ossie” Ardiles was a dynamic presence in Argentina’s midfield during their 1978 World Cup-winning campaign. With over 50 caps and eight goals for the national team between 1975 and 1982, Ardiles was one of the key figures of that era. At club level, he became a fan favorite during his time at Tottenham Hotspur, where he enjoyed a long and successful spell. Curiously, Ardiles wore the number 1 shirt during the 1982 World Cup due to Argentina’s unique alphabetical numbering system.