Ranking the best Argentine national team defenders of all time
- The Argentine national team has produced many legendary football players.
- They have been strong in every era.
- These 10 defenders are considered the all-time best of the “Albiceleste”.
The Argentine national team is considered one of the countries that has produced many top-level players from the past to the present, most of whom are attackers. However, in defense, they also have many legendary players who have made a name for themselves in the industry. And here is a ranking of the 10 best defenders of all time for the “Albiceleste”.
10. Louis Galvan
Galvan made his debut for the Argentina national team in 1975. After being handed a chance by legendary coach Cesar Luis Menotti. The former Talleres Cordoba defender then became a key figure in the Albiceleste’s defence and helped the https://ufabet999.app team win the 1978 World Cup. Making 34 appearances for his country.
9. Roberto Perfumo
Perfumo was an elegant centre-back who started his career. As a midfielder and was part of Argentina’s squads at the 1966 and 1974 World Cups, winning 37 caps for his country. Perfumo is
also a legend in Racing Club’s heyday in the 1960s. Winning two Primera Division titles, a Copa Libertadores and an Intercontinental Cup. As well as enjoying success with Cruzeiro and River Plate.
8. Nicolas Otamendi
The former Benfica and Manchester City defender has won over 100 caps for Argentina and was a key player in their triumphant World Cup triumph in 2022 and Copa America triumphs in 2021 and 2024.
7. Alberto Tarantini
Tarantini was an iconic left-back for Argentina in the 1970s and early 1980s. Being part of the team that won the 1978 World Cup and was named in the tournament’s All-Star XI. Tarantini also
won the 1977 Copa Libertadores with Boca Juniors and had a brief spell in England with Birmingham City before returning home to play for Talleres and River Plate. before retiring from international football after the 1982 World Cup.
6. Rafael Albrecht
Albrecht played for Argentina at the 1962 and 1966 World Cups and won the national championship with San Lorenzo before moving to Mexico with Clubs Leon and Atlas, where he scored an incredible 95 goals in his career, putting him in the record books as one of the most prolific defenders in football history.
5. Jose Luis Brown
Brown was a regular in the Argentina defence at the 1986 World Cup as fellow squad member Daniel Passarella suffered from intestinal inflammation and missed a minute of action.
However, Brown became the hero when he headed home the winner in the final as Argentina beat West Germany 3–2 and won the title, and refused to be substituted late in the game despite dislocating his shoulder.
4. Roberto Ayala
Strong in the air and accurate in the tackle, Ayala won over 100 caps for Argentina between 1994 and 2007 and is regarded as one of the country’s finest defenders, while his club form with Valencia also earned him plaudits.
3. Oscar Ruggeri
Ruggeri, who won nearly 100 caps for Argentina, is considered one of the country’s greatest defenders of all time and was a key member of the Argentina team that won the 1986 World Cup and led the Albiceleste to a second-place finish four years later.
Ruggeri also won Copa América titles in 1991 and 1993, and has played for the likes of Boca Juniors, River Plate and Real Madrid at club level.
2. Javier Zanetti
Zanetti won 145 caps for Argentina between 1994 and 2011 and the former Inter Milan captain is widely regarded as one of the greatest right-backs of all time. Nicknamed “El Tractor”, he was in incredible physical condition and enjoyed consistent form for more than two decades, achieving countless trophies.
1. Daniel Passarella
Passarella is the only Argentine player in history to have lifted the World Cup twice, in 1978 and 1986. The legendary sweeper commanded defences for River Plate, Fiorentina and Inter, and scored an incredible 143 goals during his career.