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Argentina are one of the most celebrated international teams in football. They are one of the most successful teams, having won two FIFA World Cups and 15 Copa América titles.
Legends like Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Alfredo Di Stefano, and other prolific goalscorers have played for Argentina over the years. On that note, here's a look at Argentina's top five goalscorers of all time
#5 Gonzalo Higuain - 31
Gonzalo Higuaín is one of the most potent strikers from the last decade in both club and international football.
Higuain made a spectacular start to his career at River Plate before moving to Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2006. During his time in Madrid, he became one of the team's leading strikers, thanks to his clinical finishing ability and eye for goal.
However, Higuaín became a fan-favourite during his time in Italy with Napoli and, later, Juventus. In Naples, he won the famous Capocannoniere award and broke Serie A's single-season scoring record with 36 goals to his name. Later, during his time at Juventus, he went on to win three Serie A titles and two Italian Cups.
For Argentina, El Pipita made his debut in February 2008 and scored two brilliant goals to mark the occasion. Since his debut, he has scored 31 goals in 75 appearances across all competitions for the Sky Blue side.
#4 Hernán Crespo - 35 goals
Hernán Crespo was one of Argentina's most successful and accomplished centre-forwards to play in the modern era of the game. The player's impressive trophy record across multiple championships makes him one of the most standout players from the Argentina squadron.
After spells in Argentina, Italy and England during his playing days, Crespo came out as a serial winner. His achievements include winning the 2006 Premier League title with Chelsea and becoming a three-time Italian champion with Inter Milan. He also went on to win the UEFA Cup and the Italian Cup with Parma.
Crespo originally made his debut in February 1995 in a fixture against Bulgaria for his national side. Since then, he made a total of 64 appearances and scored 35 goals along the way. His participation in the 2006 and 2002 World Cup fixtures with Argentina remains one of his most remarkable campaigns to date.
#3 Sergio Agüero - 41 goals
Segio Agüero is another superstar in the impressive Argentina lineup of record goalscorers. The now 33-year-old has been one of the most influential strikers in the Premier League and has powered his national side to several accolades.
Agüero is a five-time English champion with Manchester City. With 184 goals to his name, Agüero tops the list of foreign players with the highest number of Premier League goals.
Agüero won back-to-back world titles at youth level for his country. He then went on to make his debut for the national squad at just 18 years of age in a friendly fixture against Brazil. Since his debut he has scored a total of 41 goals in 101 professional appearances across competitions.
Unfortunately, however, due to the recent discovery of his unstable heart condition, the player will soon call time on an exceptional career so far.
#2 Gabriel Batistuta - 55 goals
Gabriel Batistuta is arguably one of the world's greatest strikers of all time. The Argentine's impeccably prolific ability to score the best of goals is what reserves him a place in football's Hall of Fame.
Until 2016, he was Argentina's leading goalscorer with 55 goals to his name.
Batistuta is best remembered for his time in Italy with Fiorentina, for whom he is still their all-time top scorer with 151 goals. He is the winner of the 1995-96 Italian Cup with them. He also won the 2000-01 Serie A title with AS Roma.
For Argentina, his impressive performances powered his team to two Copa América titles in 1990-91 and 1992-93. This trophy haul surely makes him one of the most successful players in their history.
Batistuta's debut for the national side came in 1991 against Chile in the Copa America. He finished the tournament as not only the winner but also as the top scorer of the campaign. Since then, in 75 appearances for his national side, Batistuta has scored a total of 53 goals.
#1 Lionel Messi - 80 goals
Lionel Messi is by far and large the greatest footballer Argentina has produced for the world. He is also Argentina's greatest goalscorer and a player with a goal record and trophy haul like no other.
He was given his debut by veteran manager José Pékerman in a fixture against Hungary in 2005. His debut was surely one to remember as he was sent off in the following minutes after a scuffle with his Hungarian counterpart.
The six-time Ballon D'Or winner is the leading Argentine goal scorer with 80 goals to his name in 158 appearances. Messi is also the winner of the recent 2020-21 Copa América title and a gold medalist from the 2008-09 Olympics with the national side.
The player, considered the greatest of all time, is well and truly on track to increase his supremacy on the international stage.
