From Diego Maradona to Lionel Messi, Selección Argentina has never been short of talent. In this list, we’ll list the most capped players from Argentina to date.
Lionel Messi, 189
The 8-time Ballon d’Or winner has played 189 games for La Albiceleste and scored 112 times, a team record. After helping his side win the gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Messi’s international career has experienced many ups and downs. He led Argentina to a runner-up in World Cup 2014 and a runner-up in Copa América three times: 2007, 2015, and 2016. After losing the Copa América 2016, he briefly retired and returned to play in the 2018 World Cup.
But Messi’s patience and persistence paid off. He ended his international trophy drought with a 2021 Copa America victory over Brazil. The piece of silverware helped Messi win a record 7th Ballon d’Or. To top it off, he guided the Albiceleste to a 2022 World Cup triumph and won another Ballon d’Or.
He won yet another Copa America in 2024, making him the most decorated footballer ever with 45 titles.
Javier Mascherano, 147
Javier Mascherano is the most capped player on the Argentina national team with 147 appearances. During his fifteen-year career, Mascherano won two gold medals and finished as runner-up in both the 2014 World Cup and four Copa América (2004, 2007, 2015, 2016). He retired after the 2018 World Cup, having played in four of the tournaments.
Javier Zanetti, 143
With 143 caps, Argentina stalwart Javier Zanetti played in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, two Copa América, and finished runner-up in the 2005 Confederations Cup. While he only won a silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games with Argentina, he’d go on to collect 16 trophies for his club, Inter Milan.
Roberto Ayala, 114
One of Argentina’s best defenders, Roberto Ayala played 13 years with Selección Argentina where he won the silver medal for the side in the 1996 Summer Olympics and the gold medal in the 2004 Olympics in Greece. He participated in three World Cups and helped his team finish runner-up in two Copa América.
Angel Di Maria, 110
The Argentine winger Angel Di Maria has earned 110 caps for country, having played in three World Cups and three Copa América. He won his first trophy for Selección Argentina in the 2008 Olympics with a gold medal. Messi was also on that team.
Most recently, Di Maria scored the decisive goal — his 22nd international strike — to win Argentina the 2021 Copa America against Brazil. The silverware ended Di Maria’s and Messi’s trophy drought since the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Sergio Agüero, 100
With 100 appearances, Sergio Agüero ranks 6th all-time for Argentina’s national team caps. As one of the best strikers in the world, the center forward has netted 42 times for blue and white stripes. His fourteen-year-long tenure includes achievements as a 2014 World Cup runner-up, two Copa América runner-ups, and finally the 2021 Copa America trophy.
Diego Simeone, 103
Diego Simeone earned 100 caps as a defensive midfielder for Argentina. He played in three World Cups, won two Copa America, and won a silver medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Oscar Ruggeri, 97
Considered one of Argentina’s greatest-ever defenders, Oscar Ruggeri earned 97 caps with the national side. His most memorable honor includes starting at center back for the 1986 winning World Cup team. He helped the team finish runner-up four years later. During his eleven-year tenure with La Albiceleste, he won two Copa América and the 1992 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Sergio Romero, 96
With 96 appearances, Sergio Romero is Argentina’s most-capped goalkeeper. The high-quality goalie led Selección Argentina to one runner-up at the World Cup 2014 and two runner-ups at Copa América. He also played in the World Cup 2010 and was omitted from the 2018 team due to a knee injury.
Diego Maradona, 91
A pure genius with the football, Maradona took the sports world by storm in the 1980s. Both a prolific scorer and passer, Maradona shined in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where he scored 10 of his team’s 14 goals, including the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal and the ‘Goal of the Century’ four minutes later that helped beat England in the finals. He finished his career with 91 caps, playing in four World Cups and scoring 34 goals.
Ariel Ortega, 86
Ariel Ortega played in three World Cups for Selección Argentina as an attacking midfielder. He garnered 86 caps and scored 16 times, winning the silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
