A gallery featuring a selection of the very best Argentinian players to have plied their trade in La Liga since the 1950s. And what a selection this is, featuring as it does three of the very best attacking players in the game’s history.
Maradona, Messi and Di Stefano: so good that Di Stefano is positioned deeper in midfield where he was equally imperious. 1978 World Cup winner Mario Kempes steps in to play at centre-forward instead.
Rogelio Domínguez (Real Madrid 1957-62)
Considered the best keeper in his homeland during his days with Racing Club, Rogelio Domínguez had to wait to see first-team action when he first joined Madrid. Injuries gave him his opportunity and he never looked back, keeping goal in the European Cup Finals of 1959 and 1960. Image Source: Pinterest
Enrique Wolff (Las Palmas, Real Madrid 1973-79)
A squat and powerful right-back who offered a good attacking outlet as well as his fine defensive talents. Initially brought to Spain by Las Palmas, his form was so strong that Real Madrid stepped in to acquire his services and he became a cult hero during his time at the Bernabéu. Image Source: Twitter
Ramón Heredia (Atlético Madrid 1973-77)
An uncompromising defender from the Argentine old school and yet a clever and technically adroit one too. Heredia emerged with San Lorenzo then spent four years in Madrid at the heart of a powerful Atlético team that reached the European Cup Final in 1974. Image Source: Twitter
Roberto Ayala (Valencia, Zaragoza 2000-08, 2009-10)
Having failed to establish himself in Italy with Milan, Ayala moved to Spain and found his spiritual home with Valencia. During his eight seasons at the club he was the defensive heart of several fine sides which won titles, a UEFA Cup and played in a Champions League Final.
Image Source: Pinterest
Javier Mascherano (Barcelona 2010-present)
The world’s best defensive-midfielder when he joined Barça in 2010, Mascherano proceeded to show supreme adaptability by filling a team need and becoming a central defender. He developed into this role with aplomb while still showing his midfield capabilities for his national side. Image Source: Twitter
Diego Simeone (Sevilla, Atlético Madrid 1992-97, 2003-05)
A ferociously competitive midfielder who led by example and spent his best years with Atlético Madrid, inspiring them by sheer force of will to a surprise Spanish double in 1996. A fierce, pragmatic and inspirational player for whichever club he was representing. Image Source: Alchetron
Fernando Redondo (Tenerife, Real Madrid 1990-2000)
A deep-lying midfielder, though one who used his skill and guile to break up opposing play rather than brute force. Equally adept when bringing the ball forward as an elegant playmaker. Image Source: Twitter
Alfredo Di Stéfano (Real Madrid, Español 1953-66)
The man who made Real Madrid into the huge international institution we know them as today. Simultaneously the world’s best striker and midfielder, Di Stéfano was a dominant force who bent games to his will. We’ve selected him in our team’s midfield.
Image Source: Twitter
Lionel Messi (Barcelona 2004-present)
Simply one of the greatest footballers the world has ever had the privilege to see, and Barcelona has had the privilege of his priceless services for all of Leo’s active career. His 400 plus goal total only starts to tell the story of a player for whom superlatives do him scant justice. Image Source: Twitter
Diego Maradona (Barcelona, Sevilla 1982-84, 1992-93)
Although Italy saw the best years of Maradona, we couldn’t leave him out of this team for his occasionally brilliant moments at the start and end of his European adventure with Barcelona and Sevilla. His time at Barça was especially unfortunate as he was continually targeted without protection by La Liga’s hatchet men.
Image Source: Pinterest
Mario Kempes (Valencia, Hércules 1976-81, 1982-86)
An elegant and clinical centre-forward nicknamed the Matador, Kempes’ goals won the World Cup for Argentina in 1978 and he showed similar scoring prowess during his two spells with Valencia; his goals bringing Copa del Rey and Cup Winners Cup success. Image Source: Twitter
SEE ALSO: Argentina’s 25 years of wait and counting
This entire line-up could have consisted of just great forwards but instead this is a team with proper balance and a good mix of defensive and attacking player – as every good team needs.
It would hypothetically play in a 3-4-3 formation to get the best out of the selected players and with that attack the surely the goals would flow like water!
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