Players with the most caps for Argentina since 1990

Find out the 10 players with the most caps for Argentina since 1990.

Lionel Messi (191)

Arguably the greatest footballer of all time, and certainly the greatest of his generation, Lionel Messi finally immortalised himself amongst Argentinians with the World Cup win in 2022.

Always unfavourably compared with Diego Maradona for his efforts in 1986, Messi managed to equal his predecessor with a World Cup win of his own.

Javier Mascherano (147)

Despite breaking into the Argentina setup during his time with River Plate, it wasn't until his move to Liverpool that Javier Mascherano caught the wider footballing public's attention.

Establishing himself as a top-class defensive midfielder, Mascherano moved to Barcelona where he was largely deployed as a centre-back.

Mascherano spent 15 years with the national side and is their second-most capped player.

Angel Di Maria (145)

One of the best wingers of his generation, Angel Di Maria made his European breakthrough with Benfica, earning a move to Real Madrid. After a mixed year at Manchester United, the Argentine moved to Paris Saint-Germain where he spent seven years before a season with Juventus, finally returning to Benfica in 2023 where he's still operating at a high level.

Di Maria made his Argentina debut in 2008, going on to make 145 appearances before his retirement last year.

Javier Zanetti (143)

A consummate professional, Javier Zanetti made more than 1,000 appearances for club and country throughout his career, with his versatility and superb conditioning meaning he could be deployed to great effect in multiple positions.

Making his debut in 1994, Zanetti's international career finally came to an end in 2011.

Nicolas Otamendi (124)

Despite showing plenty of promise in his youth and making his debut while playing for Velez Sarsfield, it wasn't until his move to Manchester City that Nicolas Otamendi became a regular fixture in the Argentinian back line.

From 2015 onwards, Otamendi has been a crucial part of the Albiceleste side, still going strong at the age of 37.

Roberto Ayala (115)

It takes a special defender to reach the top of the game while being under six feet tall and Roberto Ayala was just that. La Albiceleste's best defender of the 1990s, Ayala made his debut in 1994 before being part of the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cup squads, going on to become the nation's most-capped player.

Diego Simeone (106)

Before his time as Atletico Madrid manager, Diego Simeone was perhaps best known on these shores as the man who got David Beckham sent off in 1998.

After a grounded Beckham flicked a boot out, Simeone's theatrical fall saw Beckham dismissed as England would exit the 1998 World Cup.

But theatrics aside, Simeone was a superb midfielder, as tenacious on the field as he is in the dugout, and played for Argentina in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

Sergio Aguero (101)

One of the best centre-forwards of his generation, Sergio Aguero had to battle for game time in Argentina's front line with the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez, Ezequiel Lavezzi and a certain Lionel Messi.

Nevertheless, Aguero cleared 100 caps for Argentina and ranks as their third highest goalscorer.

Sergio Romero (96)

Few players will have such a peculiar ratio between clubs games and international games as Sergio Romero. His performances with AZ Alkmaar were sufficient to take the gloves for the national side, and despite spending around five years as the number two for Sampdoria, Monaco and Manchester United, Romero remained the number one for Argentina.

Ariel Ortega (86)

A superbly gifted and mercurial talent, Ariel Ortega made his Argentina debut as a teenager back in 1994, becoming a pivotal part of the national side until 2001.

Despite earning an impressive 86 caps, off-field issues prevented the total from being even higher.

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