We can all feel the FIFA World Cup spirit all the way from Qatar and the whole country of Argentina is the superstar. This soccer-loving country is the reigning champion so its people are likely to celebrate their win until 2026; this is also not the first time Argentina won the World Cup. The country falls in 4th place— Brazil comes first with 5 World Cup wins, and Germany and Italy both have 4 wins.

You may be pressed to know how far and hard Argentina worked for their third World Cup trophy. So here’s a little rundown of the World Cup Champion Argentina and soccer’s significance to their country.

Argentinian Legends and Stars

Argentina has no shortage of talented soccer stars. Chances are, you might already know some of the Argentinians we listed below.

Diego Maradona

Diego Maradona was an Argentinian soccer player that many argue to be the greatest of all time. Though the GOAT title is disputable, we can’t deny that Maradona wouldn’t have achieved this level of popularity if it weren’t for his soccer skills. Even after his passing and new generations of soccer players and fans emerged, many still know the name Diego Maradona and several of them still aspire to be like him.

Lionel Messi

It’s amazing to think that we’re alive during a time when Lionel Messi also exists. Whether or not you’re a fan of this athlete, his statistics don’t lie. Messi has scored over 750 goals under the clubs he belonged in as well as with the national team of Argentina. He’s also the title-holder of having the most goals for a single club— he netted 672 times back when he was in La Liga for Barcelona FC.

Leo Messi also has the most goals scored for a single season; he scored 50 goals back in the 2011 to 2012 campaign. These are big wins for a stellar man who’s of a shorter-than-the-average soccer player stature— can you believe Messi is only 5’7 in height?

Carlos Tevez

Soccer followers know Carlos Tevez for many things. He’s been a household name ever since but his popularity grew in the English Premier League. He played for West Ham United, Manchester United, and Manchester City (which caused even bigger tension between the two Manchester clubs).

Soccer fans may know Tevez for having one of the most hilarious post-goal celebrations, but he knows more than to be funny. He’s a 4-time Footballer of the Year, 3-time South American Footballer of the Year, Argentine Sportsperson of the Year, and many more.

Sergio Agüero

Sergio or “Kun” Agüero is also a force to be reckoned with. Just like his fellow former Manchester City teammate Carlos Tevez, Kun is also an Argentinian overachiever. Agüero is the fifth all-time Premier League goal scorer. Not only that, before Harry Kane took the title just this year, Kun had the most goals by a Premier League soccer player. Also, in case you didn’t know, Sergio Agüero was Diego Maradona’s son-in-law; it’s a small world for Argentinian soccer players and lovers.

Memorable Goals

We cannot round up the number of notable goals scored by an Argentinian— there are far too many! One particular goal, however, is aptly called “The Goal of the Century.” If you’re wondering what this specific goal is, it’s none other than “The Hand of God” goal by Diego Maradona during a soccer match between Argentina and England in the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

Soccer is also called football because, for obvious reasons, you use your feet to kick the ball. Maradona, however, accidentally touched the soccer ball and the referee deemed it to be a goal even though it was an illegal act.

Even if you’re not Argentinian, the FIFA World Cup 2022 probably also gave you goosebumps when Gonzalo Montiel secured the victory for the country. Lionel Messi also netted twice against France in arguably the biggest sporting event in the world— the athlete has now completed all the trophies he can get his hands on.

Finally,

Just like with a number of previously-colonized countries, many practices bestowed upon them still linger to this day— sports like soccer have always been a typical European pastime that Spain passed down to South America. Eventually, the whole continent just became very good at it. Just like their South American neighbors, to most Argentinians, soccer is not just a sport, it’s their lifestyle.

 

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