Football
The Magic Football
The jersey has to be perspired, soccer is grit, life, and heart.
Canal Encuentro
Every weekend Argentina pulsates to the rhythm of this multitudinous passion for football that fills up all the stands in every stadium. Soccer is the national sport par excellence. Song, drums, trumpets, flags and hair band make the Argentine soccer an unrepeatable show in the world.
There is no doubt that the most awaited game by argentine people and tourists that visit the country, it is the one called “Superclásico” between Boca Juniors and River Plate (the most important teams in Argentina). That day the country paralyses: tickets out of stock, bars crowded with fans and the humor of almost half of country depends of the result of the match. The English newspaper The observer published that, according to a survey, this match was considered one of the “50 sporting events that a person should experience before dying.
Argentine teams have a different mystic that the rest of America and Europe. Passion, spirit, technique and “potrero” help to Argentine soccer to gain the respect of the most important teams of the world and several argentine players are playing in different countries around the world.
Talking about the National Team, Argentina won two World Cups (1978 and 1986) and obtained the gold medal in the Olympic Games in Athenas 2004. In 2000, according to a pool in FIFA website, the argentine player Diego Armando Maradona was chosen as the best player in 20th century.
The way this sport is experienced in the country is an eloquent example of the character of the Argentine man and woman: passionate and proud. The jersey has to be perspired, soccer is grit, life, and heart... and this is the way it is felt in Argentina. Only eleven are on the field, but 37 million actually play.
Players of the history of Argentine soccer
Francisco Varallo
The most prolific scorer in the history of the club Boca Juniors. “Pancho” was a ruthless striker, the nightmare of goalkeepers. He is the only surviving player of the final of the 1930 world tournament.
José Manuel Moreno
“Charro” (his nickname) won titles in four different countries. He gave shape to River’s machine (its famous attack). He was an emblem of the ’40 decade.
Angel Labruna
He was a fundamental gear of River’s “machine” and the top scorer in River Plate’s history. A born net-ripper.
José Sanfilippo
The greatest idol of the San Lorenzo de Almagro club. For four consecutive years he was Argentine soccer’s top scorer. The “Nene” was a pioneer in the habit of staying after training sessions to practice precision.
Roberto Perfumo
Called “The Marshall”, he imposed respect with his firmness and personality at River Plate and the National Team. Playing for Racing, he was a member of the team that won the first intercontinental title for Argentina.
Amadeo Carrizo
He brought a revolution to the post of goalkeeper at River Plate and the National Team. He was the first goalie to use gloves and to play within the area, outside of his goal.
Antonio Rattín
The midfield commander of Boca Juniors and the National Team. With his strong personality and bearing he intimidated rival players.
Norberto Alonso
A star. A different player with an impeccable technique. All of River’s rivals during the ‘70’s and ‘80’s feared to play against him. A symbol of River Plate’s quality soccer.
Mario Kempes
The “Matador” conquered Spain with the celebration of his goals. The top scorer of the ´78 World Tournament won by Argentina.
Daniel Passarella
The great captain of the Argentine National Team. His passion and leadership quality took his team to the first world tournament title won in 1978.
Diego Armando Maradona
The country’s pride. The best soccer player of the history of the game. He is the face of Argentine soccer in the world. The goals he scored against England reflect his quintessence: pure cunning and other-worldly talent.
Ricardo Bochini
The product of Argentine street soccer transferred to the soccer field. His “bochinesque” assists are a trade mark.
Claudio Caniggia
A star in the National Team, at Boca Juniors and River Plate. Unforgettable are his goals scored against Brazil and Italy in the 1990 world tournament and against Nigeria in 1994.
Sergio Goycochea
The hero of the ’90 world tournament in Italy. Thanks to the penalties he saved he became the idol, genius and key figure of the National Team.
Gabriel Batistuta
The essence of raw power, with the rival goal between his eyebrows. The top scorer of the National Team, he was also a key player at Boca, River and Newell’s.
Juan Román Riquelme
Class, the strategic pause, and a glove on his right foot. Román’s game defines a style and splits the country’s soccer fans into two armies of allegiance. A dancer on the soccer field.
Carlos Tevez
Grit and talent joined up, a tireless fighter, he kills and dies for the jersey he wears. By means of pure passion he even became an idol in Brazil.
Lionel Messi
He’s a key player in both the Spanish Club Barcelona and the Argentine national team. He amazes soccer fans from all over the world when he gets past his rivals with his remarkable moves and speed.
Sergio Agüero
He’s one of the most exquisite goal-scorers of all the forwards in the Argentine team. By means of his goals and talent, he won over the fans of his team, the Spanish Atletico de Madrid. Today, he’s also an outstanding player of the Argentine team.
