This is a list of statistical records for the Argentina national football team.
Individual records
Players in bold are still active with Argentina.
Most-capped players
RankPlayerCapsGoalsCareer1Lionel Messi2081262Javier Mascherano14733Ángel Di María145312008–2024Javier Zanetti14551994–20115Nicolás Otamendi14092009–20266Roberto Ayala11571994–20077Diego Simeone104111988–20028Sergio Agüero101412006–20219Oscar Ruggeri9771983–199410Sergio Romero9602009–2018
Top goalscorers RankPlayerGoalsCapsRatioCareer1Lionel Messi (list)1262082Gabriel Batistuta (list)56783Lautaro Martínez42874Sergio Agüero411012006–20215Hernán Crespo35641995–20076Diego Maradona (list)34911977–19947Gonzalo Higuaín31752009–2018Ángel Di María311452008–20249Luis Artime24251961–196710Leopoldo Luque22451975–1981Daniel Passarella22701976–1986
Top assisters RankPlayerAssistsCapsRatioCareer1Lionel Messi672082Ángel Di María291452008–20243Diego Maradona26911977–19944Ariel Ortega21881993–20105Juan Román Riquelme17511997–20086Giovani Lo Celso16692017–present7Sergio Agüero151012006–20218Claudio López12551995–2003Juan Sebastián Verón12721996–2010Carlos Tevez12762004–2015
World Cup winning captains
Year Player Caps Goals 1978 Daniel Passarella 70 22 1986 Diego Maradona 91 34 2022 Lionel Messi 208 126
Caps Most capped player overall: 208 – Lionel Messi, 2005–2026 Most FIFA World Cup tournaments played: 6 – Lionel Messi in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 Most FIFA World Cup appearances made: 34 – Lionel Messi Most FIFA World Cup appearances made as captain: 26 – Lionel Messi Most CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualification appearances made: 72 – Lionel Messi Most Copa América tournaments played: 7 – Lionel Messi in 2007, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024 Most Copa América appearances made: 39 – Lionel Messi Youngest player: Diego Maradona, old against Hungary on 27 February 1977. Youngest player to appear in a competitive match: Franco Mastantuono, 17 years and 296 days old against Chile on 5 June 2025 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Youngest player to reach 100 caps: Lionel Messi, 27 years, 361 days old against Jamaica at the 2015 Copa América on 20 June 2015. Youngest player to appear in a FIFA World Cup match: Lionel Messi, old against Serbia and Montenegro on 16 June 2006. Youngest player to appear in a FIFA World Cup match as captain: Lionel Messi, 22 years, 363 days old against Greece on 22 June 2010. Oldest player: Ángel Labruna, old against Czechoslovakia at the 1958 FIFA World Cup on 15 June 1958.
Goals/assists Most goals scored: 126 – Lionel Messi, 2005–2026 Most goals scored in competitive matches: 71 – Lionel Messi Most goals scored in international friendlies: 55 – Lionel Messi Youngest goalscorer: Diego Maradona, 18 years, 7 months and 4 days old against Scotland on 2 June 1979. Youngest player to score in a FIFA World Cup match: Lionel Messi, 18 years, 357 days old against Serbia and Montenegro on 16 June 2006. Oldest goalscorer: Lionel Messi, 39 years and 101 days old against Egypt on 7 July 2026. Most hat-tricks scored in all international competitions, including friendlies: 11 – Lionel Messi Most goals scored in a single match: 5 – Juan Marvezzi against Ecuador on 16 February 1941, Lionel Messi against Estonia on 5 June 2022. Most goals scored in a calendar year in all international competitions, including friendlies: 18 – Lionel Messi in 2022. Most direct free kick goals scored in all international competitions, including friendlies: 12 – Lionel Messi Most FIFA World Cup tournaments scored in: 5 – Lionel Messi in 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026. Most goals scored at the FIFA World Cup: 21 – Lionel Messi Most goals scored at one FIFA World Cup: 8 – Guillermo Stábile in 1930 and Lionel Messi in 2026 Most hat-tricks scored at the FIFA World Cup: 2 – Gabriel Batistuta Most goals scored in FIFA World Cup finals: 2 – Mario Kempes in 1978 and Lionel Messi in 2022 Most goals scored in CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualification matches: 36 – Lionel Messi Most goals scored in one CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualification campaign: 10 – Lionel Messi in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification Most hat-tricks scored in CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualification matches: 3 – Lionel Messi Most direct free kick goals scored in CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualification matches: 4 – Juan Román Riquelme and Lionel Messi Most Copa América tournaments scored in: 6 – Lionel Messi in 2007, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2024 Most goals scored at the Copa América: 17 – Norberto Méndez Most goals scored at one Copa América: 9 – Humberto Maschio in 1957 Most direct free kick goals scored at the Copa América: 4 – Lionel Messi Most assists provided in all international competitions, including friendlies: 67 – Lionel Messi Most FIFA World Cup tournaments assisted in: 6 – Lionel Messi in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 Most assists provided at the FIFA World Cup: 12 – Lionel Messi Most assists provided in CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualification matches: 13 – Lionel Messi Most Copa América tournaments assisted in: 7 – Lionel Messi in 2007, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2024 Most assists provided at the Copa América: 18 – Lionel Messi Most assists provided at one Copa América: 5 – Lionel Messi in 2021
World Cup awards and achievements World Cup Golden Ball
The World Cup Golden Ball has been given by FIFA to the best player at the World Cup since 1982; Argentina players have won it thrice; Maradona in 1986 and Messi in 2014 and 2022.
World Cup top goalscorer
Guillermo Stábile in 1930 and Mario Kempes in 1978 were both the top-scoring players at their respective World Cups.
World Cup Golden Glove
The best goalkeeper at the World Cup is awarded the FIFA World Cup Golden Glove. In 2022 this award was won by Emiliano Martínez.
World Cup Young Player Award
The best player at the World Cup who is no older than 21 during the calendar year of the tournament is awarded the FIFA World Cup Young Player Award. In 2022 this award was won by Enzo Fernández.
Manager records Most appearances Guillermo Stábile: 123"Los 40 nombres que dirigieron la Selección Nacional" on AFA website (1924–2006 period listed). Guillermo coached Argentina in 123 matches which made him among the few coaches who were in charge of more than 100 international matches. While still with the national team, he led them to victories in the South American Championship in 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955, and 1957.
Competitive record Champions Runners-up Third place Tournament played fully or partially on home soil
FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup recordQualification recordYearRoundPositionSquad 1930 Runners-up 2nd 5 4 0 1 18 9 SquadQualified as invitees 1934 Round of 16 9th 1 0 0 1 2 3 SquadQualified automatically 1938WithdrewWithdrew 1950WithdrewWithdrew 1954WithdrewWithdrew 1958 Group stage 13th 3 1 0 2 5 10 Squad 4 3 0 1 10 2 1962 Group stage 10th 3 1 1 1 2 3 Squad 2 2 0 0 11 3 1966 Quarter-finals 5th 4 2 1 1 4 2 Squad 4 3 1 0 9 2 1970Did not qualify 4 1 1 2 4 6 1974 Quarter-finals 8th 6 1 2 3 9 12 Squad 4 3 1 0 9 2 1978 Champions 1st 7 5 1 1 15 4 SquadQualified as hosts 1982 11th 5 2 0 3 8 7 SquadQualified as defending champions 1986 Champions 1st 7 6 1 0 14 5 Squad 6 4 1 1 12 6 1990 Runners-up 2nd 7 2 3 2 5 4 SquadQualified as defending champions 1994 Round of 16 10th 4 2 0 2 8 6 Squad 8 4 2 2 9 10 1998 Quarter-finals 6th 5 3 1 1 10 4 Squad 16 8 6 2 23 13 2002 Group stage 18th 3 1 1 1 2 2 Squad 18 13 4 1 42 15 2006 Quarter-finals 6th 5 3 2 0 11 3 Squad 18 10 4 4 29 17 2010 Quarter-finals 5th 5 4 0 1 10 6 Squad 18 8 4 6 23 20 2014 Runners-up 2nd 7 5 1 1 8 4 Squad 16 9 5 2 35 15 2018 Round of 16 16th 4 1 1 2 6 9 Squad 18 7 7 4 19 16 2022 Champions 1st 7 4 2 1 15 8 Squad 17 11 6 0 27 8 2026 Runners-up 2nd 8 7 0 1 19 8 Squad 18 12 2 4 31 10Qualified as commemorative match hosts 2034To be determinedTo be determined Total 3 Title 19/23 96 54 17 25 171 109— 171 98 44 29 293 145
Copa América
South American Championship / Copa América recordYearRoundPositionSquad 1916 Runners-up 2nd 3 1 2 0 7 2Squad 1917 Runners-up 2nd 3 2 0 1 5 3Squad 1919 Third place 3rd 3 1 0 2 7 7Squad 1920 Runners-up 2nd 3 1 2 0 4 2Squad 1921 Champions 1st 3 3 0 0 5 0Squad 1922 Fourth place 4th 4 2 0 2 6 3Squad 1923 Runners-up 2nd 3 2 0 1 6 6Squad 1924 Runners-up 2nd 3 1 2 0 2 0Squad 1925 Champions 1st 4 3 1 0 11 4Squad 1926 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 1 1 14 3Squad 1927 Champions 1st 3 3 0 0 15 4Squad 1929 Champions 1st 3 3 0 0 9 1Squad 1935 Runners-up 2nd 3 2 0 1 8 5Squad 1937 Champions 1st 6 5 0 1 14 5Squad 1939Withdrew 1941 Champions 1st 4 4 0 0 10 2Squad 1942Runners-up 2nd 6 4 1 1 21 6Squad 1945 Champions 1st 6 5 1 0 22 5Squad 1946 Champions 1st 5 5 0 0 17 3Squad 1947 Champions 1st 7 6 1 0 28 4Squad 1949Withdrew 1953Withdrew 1955 Champions 1st 5 4 1 0 18 6Squad 1956 Third place 3rd 5 3 0 2 5 3Squad 1957 Champions 1st 6 5 0 1 25 6Squad 1959 Champions 1st 6 5 1 0 19 5Squad 1959 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 1 1 9 9Squad 1963 Third place 3rd 6 3 1 2 15 10Squad 1967 Runners-up 2nd 5 4 0 1 12 3Squad1975 Group stage 5th 4 2 0 2 17 4Squad1979 Group stage 8th 4 1 1 2 7 6Squad1983 Group stage 6th 4 1 3 0 5 4Squad 1987 Fourth place 4th 4 1 1 2 5 4Squad 1989 Third place 3rd 7 2 3 2 2 4Squad 1991 Champions 1st 7 6 1 0 16 6Squad 1993 Champions 1st 6 2 4 0 6 4Squad 1995Quarter-finals 5th 4 2 1 1 8 6Squad 1997Quarter-finals 6th 4 1 2 1 4 3Squad 1999Quarter-finals 8th 4 2 0 2 6 6Squad 2001Withdrew 2004 Runners-up 2nd 6 4 1 1 16 6Squad 2007 Runners-up 2nd 6 5 0 1 16 6Squad 2011 Quarter-finals 7th 4 1 3 0 5 2Squad 2015 Runners-up 2nd 6 3 3 0 10 3Squad 2016 Runners-up 2nd 6 5 1 0 18 2Squad 2019 Third place 3rd 6 3 1 2 7 6Squad 2021 Champions 1st 7 5 2 0 12 3Squad 2024 Champions 1st 6 5 1 0 9 1Squad Total 16 Titles 44/48 208 132 43 33 483 183 —
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions recordYearRoundPosition 1985Did not qualify 1993 Champions 1st 1 0 1 0 1 1 2022 Champions 1st 1 1 0 0 3 0 2026Cancelled Total 2 Title 2/3 2 1 1 0 4 1
FIFA Confederations Cup FIFA Confederations Cup recordYearRoundPositionSquad 1992 Champions 1st 2 2 0 0 7 1Squad 1995 Runners-up 2nd 3 1 1 1 5 3Squad 1997Did not qualify 1999 2001 2003 2005 Runners-up 2nd 5 2 2 1 10 10Squad 2009Did not qualify 2013 2017 Total 1 Titles 3/10 10 5 3 2 22 14—
Olympic Games Olympic Games recordYearRoundPositionSquad 1896No football tournament 1900Only club teams participated 1904 1908Did not participate 1912 1920 1924 1928Runners-up2nd5311257Squad 1932No football tournament 1936Did not participate 1948 1952 1956 1960Quarter-finals7th320164Squad 1964Group stage10th201134Squad 1968Did not qualify 1972 1976 1980Qualified but withdrew 1984Did not qualify 1988Quarter-finals8th411245Squad Since 1992See Argentina national under-23 football teamTotalRunners-up4/19146353820—
Pan American Games Pan American Games recordYearRoundPosition 1951 Champions 1st 4 4 0 0 16 2 1955 Champions 1st 6 5 1 0 23 7 1959 Champions 1st 6 5 1 0 20 4 1963 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 2 0 11 3 1967 Preliminary round 5th 3 1 1 1 7 3 1971 Champions 1st 8 6 2 0 13 4 1975 Third place 3rd 6 5 1 0 19 1 1979 Third place 3rd 5 4 1 0 9 0 1983 Preliminary round 5th 2 0 0 2 0 4 1987 Third place 3rd 5 3 1 1 11 3 1991Did not qualify 1995 Champions 1st 6 4 2 0 10 4 Since 1999See Argentina national under-23 football teamTotal5 Title11/12553912413935
Head-to-head record Below is a result summary of all matches Argentina has played against FIFA recognised teams.
, after the match against Benin.