'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Angel Di Maria
As far as dribbling skills are concerned, Lionel Messi is the best player in Argentina's ranks by a country mile. The South American nation has always had a reputation for producing magical players, however, and Angel Di Maria is arguably the only individual from the current generation who can hold a torch to his illustrious teammate.
Di Maria is one of the few players to have shared a dressing room with both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and is a match-winner in his own right. The Argentine winger has produced exceptional performances for his nation in the past and shares a fruitful relationship with Lionel Messi both on and off the pitch.
The two forwards have combined for a total of nine goals with Argentina and often start on either flank for the Albicelestes. Consistency has often been Angel Di Maria's weakness over the years but the former Real Madrid man remains one of Lionel Messi's most talented national teammates.
#2 Sergio Aguero
In addition to being one of Argentina's most talented strikers over the past decade, Sergio Aguero also shares an excellent friendship with Lionel Messi. The two prodigies have played together for their country for nearly two decades and enjoy each other's company both on and off the pitch.
Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero have combined for an impressive 16 goals for Argentina and their styles of play seem to be an ideal fit in the final third. Sergio Aguero has scored an impressive 41 goals for Argentina and has often played an important role in the Albicelestes' qualifying campaigns.
Aguero is 32 years old at the moment and is likely to feature alongside Lionel Messi for Argentina in the 2022 World Cup. The two superstars have been good friends for most of their professional lives and will look forward to one last hurrah a few years down the line.
#1 Javier Mascherano
For a nation that have often produced creative magicians of the highest ilk, Javier Mascherano is an extraordinary exception. The former Barcelona man brought a fighting spirit to an Argentina side that was in desperate need of inspiration and was one of the most important cogs of the team alongside Lionel Messi.
Javier Mascherano's crunching tackles served as the perfect foil for the likes of Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria and made Argentina a well-balanced side. The versatile defensive midfielder brought his unique talents to the fore in the 2014 World Cup and unassumingly spearheaded his side's progress to the final.
Mascherano spent several years with Lionel Messi at Barcelona and was both a mentor and friend to the Argentina captain. The Albicelestes are not particularly known for their defensive stalwarts and are yet to find a midfielder and a leader who can fill the king-sized boots of Javier Mascherano.
Honourable Mentions: Carlos Tevez, Pablo Zabaleta, Roberto Ayala, Pablo Aimar, Ever Banega, Gonzalo Higuain
