Argentina football legacy: From Maradona and Ruggeri to Lionel Messi

The history of Argentine football is defined by the legacies of its most iconic number 10 players. Diego Maradona’s career included significant periods with Boca Juniors, where he played alongside defender Oscar Ruggeri during the 1981 Metropolitano championship. Ruggeri and Maradona later became frequent teammates on the Argentina national team, sharing the pitch for many matches until their final appearance together during the 1994 World Cup.

Following Maradona’s era, Lionel Messi emerged as the successor to the legendary number 10 shirt. After a debut marked by a red card in 2005, Messi transitioned from a promising talent to a global icon. As Messi’s career reaches its conclusion, a new generation of Argentine players faces the challenge of establishing their own identities outside the massive shadows cast by both Maradona and Messi.