Making an all-time team for Argentina poses a unique challenge.

Many of its best players either didn’t excel in the Argentina shirt, or played most of their games for another country.

The great Alfredo Di Stefano, for example, played only six games for his country of birth, before becoming a Spanish international. Raimundo Orsi and Luis Monti switched to the Italian team and even won the World Cup with their new European side. Lionel Messi is currently the world’s best player, but his performances for Argentina are generally considered a disappointment. And finally, Fernando Redondo was banned from the national team because he refused to clip his long hair.

As such, clear guidelines are needed when trying to decide who fits in and who doesn’t. I’ve opted to look at the overall quality of a player, not just his performances in the Argentina NT.

Goalkeeper ~ Amadeo Carrizo

Argentina may not enjoy a reputation for great goalkeepers, but Amadeo Carrizo is the exception to the rule. Born in 1926, he is, perhaps, an unknown name to most, but there’s plenty of reason to include him in this team. Reportedly, he is the first goalkeeper to start using gloves and to consistently leave his penalty area to intercept attacks. He was part of the great River Plate that dominated South-American football in the 1950′s and, in 1968, he grabbed the record for most appearances in the Argentine league. In recognition of his abilities, innovative style and longevity, IFFHS experts voted him in the top 10 goalkeepers of the 20th century. No other Argentina goalkeeper comes even close to that list.

Right Back ~ Javier Zanetti

A miracle of consistency. From his haircut to his playing style, there’s no difference to be found between the Zanetti of 20 years old and the 38 year old man he is today. A silent, steady and reliable pillar under the success of Inter between 2006 and 2010, he has more caps for Argentina than anyone else – an astounding 145 – and when coach Maradona finally dropped him from the team, his absence was afterwards pointed to as one of the reasons why Argentina failed in the 2010 World Cup. But he’s far more than just consistent. Even at age 37, Zanetti managed to mark Robben and Messi out of crucial Champions League games. Truly an era-defining right back.

Centre Back ~ Daniel Passarella

El Gran Capitan. Daniel Passarella was a man with great leadership qualities. A defender who knew who to mark, tackle, head, use his elbows, pass and organize his defense. And score. For a defender, he netted the remarkable figure of 162 goals, a record only since surpassed by Ronald Koeman. But most importantly, Passarella will always be remembered as the captain of the 1978 side, and thus, as the first Argentine to lift the World Cup.

Centre Back ~Ruggeri

Hard one. Roberto Ayala has more caps, and was more successful in Europe, but his slow pace and some crucial mistakes in tournaments mean this place is not his, but rather Oscar Ruggeri’s, who was, also, far more successful than Ayala trophywise. Winner of the 1986 World Cup, runner-up in 1990, two Copa America triumphs, a Copa Libertadores – Ruggeri was a quality stopper who was a pivotal figure in the last generation of Argentines that actually won anything.

Left back ~ Silvio Marzolini

Marzolini is another player whose number of caps for Argentina (28) poorly reflects his actual quality. An absolute icon for Boca Juniors, he is widely regarded as the best left back in Argentina’s history. Strong and comfortable on the ball, he impressed thoroughly in the 1966 World Cup, where was included in the team of the tournament. Real Madrid and AC Milan tried to enlist his services, but he choose to stay with Boca, for whom he played 407 matches. Beats out the more offensive, flamboyant and attacking Juan Pablo Sorin

Central midfielder ~ Fernando Redondo

Fernando Redondo is the prime example of a holding midfielder who combined excellent defensive skills with great technique and ability on the ball. His career was marred by injuries, but the years he starred for Real Madrid left an unforgettable impression. Leading the team from midfield, his contributions to Madrid’s Champions League campaigns in 1998 and 2000 are hard to overestimate. In recognition, UEFA once elected Redondo  the most valuable player of the Champions League.  A rare feat for a holding midfielder. Only his principled refusal to cut his long hair – a ludicrous demand from then Argentina coach Daniel Passarella – costed him his international career.  A better defender than Oswaldo Ardiles.

Central midfielder ~ Luis Monti

The man who played a World Cup final with two different nations. Monti was first a key player of the Argentine team that reached the final of the Olympics in 1928 and the World Cup final two years later. He then made the jump to the Italian national team and actually won the World Cup with Italy in 1934. But regardless of his nationality, he always was a rock in midfield, a rough tackler as well as a playmaker, known for covering large partions of the field.  Edges out Cambiasso.

Attacking midfielder – Diego Armando Maradona

Regarded by many as the greatest footballer of all time, Diego Maradona is without question the most valuable player in the history of the Argentine national team. Playing four World Cups, he guided his nation twice to the World Cup final , including the victorious 1986 edition. His dribbling, passing and shooting abilities were all equally phenomenal, making him an absolute terror for every defender – or even groups of defenders.

Left second striker ~ Alfredo Di Stefano

A whole of six games. That’s all Di Stefano ever played for Argentina. But the fact remains that  he was (1) an Argentinian and (2) one of the best footballers of all time. Therefore, he is an absolute must-have in this team. The great icon of the Real Madrid that dominated European football in the late 50′s, Di Stefano was the type of player who did everything. He dropped back to defense to help his team out, passed the ball from midfield to create opppurtunities, and often rushed forward himself to finish the attack.

Right second striker ~ Jose Manuel Moreno

Two of football’s legendary teams are the River Plate and the Argentina NT of the 1940′s. Both absolutely dominated South-American football, destroying opposition from Brazil ad Uruguay. The lack of any World Cup competitions means they never tested their abilities against European opposition, but most experts agree that they’d come out on top. A key figure for bothj River Plate and Argentina of the 40′s was Jose Manuel Moreno. A second striker who created chances as well as scored goals himself, he was voted by the IFFHS as as the third best Argentine footballer of the 20th century.

Striker ~ Lionel Messi

The world’s best player is not as loved in Argentina as he is in Barcelona. While the dribbling genius has lead his club to triumph after triumph, his record with the Argentine national team is regarded as a failure. For whatever reason, when wearing the Albiceleste colours he’s been unable to decide matches the way he so often does for Barcelona. Still, it’s absolutely imppossible to leave Messi out. Since he’s mastered the role of a ‘false striker’, he’s begun breaking goal records – and doesn’t appear to stop. At 24, he’s about to win his third Ballon d’Or. It’s little wonder that many believe him to be a top 5 player of all time already. The lethal Batistuta can’t possibly compete.

Argentina All-Time XI