Famous 20th Century Argentine Sportspersons

Find out more about the greatest 20th Century Argentine Sportspersons, including Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Carlos Tevez, Paulo Dybala and Alfredo Di Stéfano.
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 1 
Diego Maradona
(One of the Greatest Football Players in the History of the Sport)
Diego Maradona
65
Birthdate: October 30, 1960
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Lanús, Argentina
Died: November 25, 2020

Nicknamed The Golden Boy, Diego Maradona is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time. Thanks to his popularity and controversial personal life, which includes drug abuse issues and addiction to cocaine, Diego Maradona became a world-renowned counterculture icon. He was also an iconic figure in popular culture.

 2 
Alfredo Di Stéfano
(Argentine Professional Footballer and Coach Who Played as a Forward)
Alfredo Di Stéfano
13
Birthdate: July 4, 1926
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Barracas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Died: July 7, 2014

Alfredo Di Stéfano was an Argentine-born Spanish football player and coach. Counted among the greatest football players of all time, Di Stéfano is remembered for his association with Real Madrid, where he played a major role in the club's domination of La Liga and the European Cup during the 1950s. In 2004, he was included in Pele’s FIFA 100 list.

 3 
Javier Zanetti
(Argentine Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Defensive Midfielder)
Javier Zanetti
6
Birthdate: August 10, 1973
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Javier Zanetti is an Argentine retired professional football player. He is best known for his contribution to Inter Milan's successful 2009–10 season, during which the club achieved a treble. Counted among the greatest players of his generation, Javier Zanetti also helped his national football team win a silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

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 4 
Juan Manuel Fangio
(Argentine Race Car Driver Who Won the World Drivers' Championship Five Times)
Juan Manuel Fangio
1
Birthdate: June 24, 1911
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Balcarce, Buenos Aires Balcarce, Argentina
Died: July 17, 1995

Juan Manuel Fangio was an Argentine race car driver who dominated the first 10 years of Formula One racing. He won the World Drivers' Championship on five occasions, a record which was broken by Michael Schumacher after 46 years. Juan Manuel Fangio is also the only Argentine racer to have won the prestigious Argentine Grand Prix.

 5 
Guillermo Vilas
(Legendary Argentine Tennis Player and Former World Number 1 in Singles)
Guillermo Vilas
6
Birthdate: August 17, 1952
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Mar del Plata, Argentina

Part of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, legendary Argentine tennis player Guillermo Vilas is a former world number 1 in singles. His wins include 2 Australian Open titles, 1 French Open, and 1 US Open. The 2020 Netflix documentary Guillermo Vilas: Settling the Score was based on his life.

 6 
Gabriel Batistuta
(One of the Greatest Football Strikers of All Time)
Gabriel Batistuta
12
Birthdate: February 1, 1969
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Santa Fe Province, Argentina
Argentine former footballer Gabriel Batistuta, also known as “Batigol” and “El Ángel Gabriel,” has played for clubs such as Fiorentina and Roma. A powerful striker, he was Argentina's all-time leading goal-scorer until Lionel Messi broke his record. He is also the only footballer with two hat-tricks in separate World Cups
 7 
Gabriela Sabatini
(One of the Leading Tennis Players of Her Generation)
Gabriela Sabatini
2
Birthdate: May 16, 1970
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Gabriela Sabatini is an Argentine former professional tennis player. One of the leading female tennis players in the 1980s and 1990s, she amassed 41 titles, including the WTA Finals in 1988 and the 1990 US Open. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2006. Also a businesswoman, she runs a line of fragrances.

 8 
Juan Sebastián Verón
(Argentine Former Professional Footballer)
Juan Sebastián Verón
5
Birthdate: March 9, 1975
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: La Plata, Argentina
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 9 
Marcelo Bielsa
(Argentine Professional Football Manager and Former Player Who Played as a Defender)
Marcelo Bielsa
8
Birthdate: July 21, 1955
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Rosario, Argentina

Renowned football manager and the current head coach of Leeds United, Marcelo Bielsa is best known for remarkably improving the performance of the players he coaches. As a manager, his high point arrived when he helped the Argentinean national team bag the 2004 Olympics gold medal and later guided the Chile’s national team to qualify for the 2010 world cup.

 10 
Diego Simeone
(Former Argentine Football Midfielder and Current Football Manager of 'Atlético Madrid')
Diego Simeone
10
Birthdate: April 28, 1970
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Diego Simeone is an Argentine former football player who was part of the silver medal-winning team at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. An important player for his country, Simeone also represented Argentina at the 1994, 1998, and 2002 World Cups. Simeone also won two Copa América titles for Argentina. He is currently serving as the coach of Atlético Madrid.

 11 
Carlos Monzon
(Argentine Professional Boxer)
Carlos Monzon
3
Birthdate: August 7, 1942
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: San Javier, Santa Fe, Argentina
Died: January 8, 1995
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 12 
Daniel Passarella
(Argentine Former Footballer and Manager)
Daniel Passarella
4
Birthdate: May 25, 1953
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Chacabuco, Argentina
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 13 
Mario Kempes
(Argentine Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Striker / Attacking Midfielder)
Mario Kempes
1
Birthdate: July 15, 1954
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Bell Ville, Argentina
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 14 
Juan Román Riquelme
(Argentine Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Defensive Midfielder)
Juan Román Riquelme
5
Birthdate: June 24, 1978
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: San Fernando, Argentina

Juan Román Riquelme is an Argentine former football player best known for his association with Boca Juniors, winning 10 titles for the club. Counted among the greatest Argentine players ever, Riquelme led his team at the 2008 Olympics where they won the gold medal. Juan Román Riquelme is also widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation.

 15 
Mauricio Pochettino
(Argentine Professional Football Manager and Former Player)
Mauricio Pochettino
8
Birthdate: March 2, 1972
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Murphy, Argentina

Mauricio Pochettino is an Argentine former football player best known for helping Espanyol win their first trophy in six decades when he won the 2000 Copa del Rey. After retiring as a player, Mauricio Pochettino started his managerial career and is currently serving as the head coach of the popular Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain.

 16 
Nacho Figueras
(Argentine Model and Polo Player)
Nacho Figueras
3
Birthdate: March 4, 1977
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Veinticinco de Mayo, Buenos Aires Province
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 17 
Nicolino Locche
(One of the Finest Defensive Boxers of All Time)
Nicolino Locche
2
Birthdate: September 2, 1939
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Tunuyan, Mendoza, Argentina
Died: September 7, 2005
 18 
Santiago Solari
(Argentine Professional Football Manager and Former Player Who Played as a Left Midfielder)
Santiago Solari
4
Birthdate: October 7, 1976
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Rosario, Argentina
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 19 
Luis Scola
(Basketball player)
Luis Scola
3
Birthdate: April 30, 1980
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Buenos Aires

Former Argentine basketball player Luis Scola now serves as the CEO of the Italian team Pallacanestro Varese, after a successful 22-year career with the national team. The Olympic gold medalist also has one Pan American Games gold medal and 2 World Cup silver medals in his kitty.

 20 
Omar Sivori
(Italian-Argentine Football Player and Manager Who Played as a Forward)
Omar Sivori
3
Birthdate: October 2, 1935
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: San Nicolás, Argentina
Died: February 17, 2005
Height: 5'4" (163 cm)
 21 
Pablo Aimar
(Argentine Former Professional Footballer and Current Assistant Coach)
Pablo Aimar
5
Birthdate: November 3, 1979
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Río Cuarto, Argentina
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 22 
Javier Pastore
(Argentine Professional Footballer Who Plays as an Attacking Midfielder)
Javier Pastore
5
Birthdate: June 20, 1989
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Córdoba, Argentina
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 23 
Gerardo Martino
(Argentine Professional Football Coach and Former Player)
Gerardo Martino
4
Birthdate: November 20, 1962
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Rosario, Argentina
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 24 
Carlos Reutemann
(Argentine Formula One Driver and Former Governor of Santa Fe)
Carlos Reutemann
0
Birthdate: April 12, 1942
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Santa Fe, Argentina
Died: July 7, 2021
 25 
Martín Palermo
(Argentine Football Manager and Former Player Who Played as a Striker)
Martín Palermo
3
Birthdate: November 7, 1973
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: La Plata, Argentina
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 26 
Gabriel Heinze
(Argentine Football Coach and Former Player)
Gabriel Heinze
4
Birthdate: April 19, 1978
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Crespo, Argentina
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 27 
Luciana Aymar
(Argentine Retired Field Hockey Player)
Luciana Aymar
2
Birthdate: August 10, 1977
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Rosario, Argentina
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 28 
Mauricio Pellegrino
(Argentine Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Centre-Back)
Mauricio Pellegrino
4
Birthdate: October 5, 1971
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Córdoba, Argentina
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 29 
Marcelo Gallardo
(Argentine Football Coach and Former Professional Player)
Marcelo Gallardo
3
Birthdate: January 18, 1976
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Merlo, Argentina
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 30 
Osvaldo Ardiles
(Argentine Football Manager, Pundit and Former Midfielder)
Osvaldo Ardiles
4
Birthdate: August 3, 1952
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Córdoba, Argentina
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 31 
Claudio Caniggia
(Argentine Former Professional Footballer Who Played as Forward / Winger)
Claudio Caniggia
5
Birthdate: January 9, 1967
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Henderson, Argentina
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 32 
Alejandro Sabella
(Argentine Football Player and Manager)
Alejandro Sabella
3
Birthdate: November 5, 1954
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Died: December 8, 2020
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 33 
Sergio Martínez
(Argentine Professional Boxer)
Sergio Martínez
3
Birthdate: February 21, 1975
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Avellaneda, Argentina
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 34 
Fernando Redondo
(Argentine Retired Football Defensive Midfielder)
Fernando Redondo
3
Birthdate: June 6, 1969
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Adrogué, Argentina
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 35 
José Manuel Moreno
(Footballer)
José Manuel Moreno
3
Birthdate: August 3, 1916
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Died: August 26, 1978
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 36 
Pablo Prigioni
(Former Argentine-Italian Basketball Player Who Played as a Point Guard)
Pablo Prigioni
3
Birthdate: May 17, 1977
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Río Tercero, Argentina
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 37 
Roberto De Vicenzo
(Argentine Professional Golfer)
Roberto De Vicenzo
0
Birthdate: April 14, 1923
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Villa Ballester, Argentina
Died: June 1, 2017
 38 
Jorge Valdano
(Argentine Former Football Player and Coach)
Jorge Valdano
3
Birthdate: October 4, 1955
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Las Parejas, Argentina
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 39 
Matías Almeyda
(Argentine Professional Football Manager and Former Defensive Midfielder)
Matías Almeyda
3
Birthdate: December 21, 1973
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Azul, Argentina
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 40 
Roberto Ayala
(Argentine Former Footballer Who Played as a Centre Back)
Roberto Ayala
3
Birthdate: April 14, 1973
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Paraná, Argentina
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 41 
César Luis Menotti
(Argentine Former Football Manager and Player)
César Luis Menotti
4
Birthdate: November 5, 1938
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Rosario, Argentina
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 42 
Ariel Ortega
(Argentine Former Professional Footballer Who Played as an Attacking Midfielder)
Ariel Ortega
4
Birthdate: March 4, 1974
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Ledesma, Jujuy, Argentina
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 43 
Guillermo Barros Schelotto
(Argentine Football Manager and Former Forward and Attacking Midfielder)
Guillermo Barros Schelotto
5
Birthdate: May 4, 1973
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: La Plata, Argentina

Guillermo Barros Schelotto is an Argentine soccer manager and former player. Barros Schelotto won 17 official titles while playing in the Argentine Primera División during his career. He also won several individual awards, such as MLS Player of the Month, Major League Soccer MVP, and MLS Cup MVP.

 44 
Oscar Bonavena
(Argentine Heavyweight Professional Boxer)
Oscar Bonavena
3
Birthdate: September 25, 1942
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Died: May 22, 1976
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 45 
Jorge Burruchaga
(Argentine Association Football Coach and Former Professional Football Player)
Jorge Burruchaga
3
Birthdate: October 9, 1962
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Gualeguay, Argentina
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 46 
Martín Gramática
(American football player)
Martín Gramática
3
Birthdate: November 27, 1975
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 47 
Lucho González
(Association football player)
Lucho González
4
Birthdate: January 19, 1981
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Buenos Aires
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 48 
Carlos Bianchi
(Association football player, Association football manager)
Carlos Bianchi
3
Birthdate: April 26, 1949
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Buenos Aires
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 49 
David Chocarro
(Baseball player)
David Chocarro
3
Birthdate: April 5, 1980
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Buenos Aires, Argentina

David Chocarro is an Argentinian model, actor, and former professional baseball player. He is best known for his portrayal of Martín Méndez in the popular Spanish-language telenovela El rostro de la venganza, for which he received nominations at Peoplen en Español Awards, Miami Life Awards, and Your World Awards.

 50 
Diego Dominguez
(Argentina’s Former Rugby Union Player)
Diego Dominguez
0
Birthdate: April 25, 1966
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Córdoba, Argentina Córdoba
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)