The Argentinian Connection
- Dag Jenkins
- Jul 7
- 12 min read
Argentina is famous for its mountains and glaciers, Iguazu Falls, steaks, wine, tango, gauchos, livestock and cereals and plenty more but also for its football.
Argentina have won the World Cup three times (1978, 1986 and 2022). They also reached three other finals (1930, 1990, 2014). The "Albiceleste" have also won 16 Copa Américas (the most recent in 2024). They play in light blue and white (Albiceleste) but are also known as "La Selección"
They are currently ranked 1st in the FIFA table.
At club level the top 5 clubs are: River Plate (38 titles), Boca Juniors (35), Racing Club Avellaneda (18), Independiente (16) and San Lorenzo (15) known as the "Cinco Grandes" (Big Five). Other important clubs are Vélez Sarsfield (11), Estudiantes La Plata (6), Newell's Old Boys (6) and Huracán (5).
Argentina have had two of the best players in football history: Diego Armando Maradona and Lionel Messi. They have also had hundreds of great players, to name a few: Guillermo Stabile, Alfredo Di Stefano, Oreste Corbatta, Omar Sivori, Mario Kempes, Daniel Passarella, René Houseman, Ubaldo Fillol, Osvaldo Ardiles, Daniel Bertoni, José Luis Brown, Jorge Valdano, Jorge Burruchaga, Oscar Ruggeri, Claudio Caniggia, Fernando Redondo, Diego Simeone, Gabriel Batistuta, Juan Román Riquelme, Javier Zanetti, Juan Sebastián Verón, Hernan Crespo, Roberto Ayala, Javier Mascherano, Gonzalo Higuaín, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tévez to present day Angel Di Maria, Emiliano Martinez, Lautaro Martinez and Alex Mac Allister.
Some of these and many more have played for Lazio.
Late 1930s and 40's
Evaristo Barrera - forward, arrived from Racing Club and played for Lazio in 1939-40. He made 18 appearances and scored 7 goals. Lazio finished 4th.
Enrique Flamini - forward and later midfielder, arrived from Racing Club and played from 1939-43, 1946-52 and 1953-54.
He made 283 appearances and scored 44 goals. One of his goals was a derby winning goal on May 26…1940. He then stayed on at Lazio between 1958 and 1971 working in the youth sector but also with spells as assistant coach and head coach. "El Flaco" is considered one of Lazio's all-time greats.
He also acquired Italian citizenship.
Silvestro Pisa I - forward, arrived from Independiente (previously Lanús, and Platense) and played from 1939-43. He made 92 appearances and scored 34 goals. He then joined Peñarol in Uruguay.
Anselmo Pisa II - midfielder, arrived from Banfield and played from 1940-42. He only made 1 league appearance.
Salvador Gualtieri - midfielder, arrived from San Lorenzo and played from 1940-49. He made 192 appearances and scored 16 goals. He was captain between 1943 and 1949 and in 1944 won the Roman War League. He had a spell as head coach while still playing and in 1962-63 was assistant to Juan Carlos Lorenzo in the promotion season. He is one of the Argentine legends at Lazio.
He too had an Italian passport.
Alberto Fazio - midfielder, arrived from San Lorenzo and played from 1940-43. He made 59 appearances.
Salustiano Vidal - forward, arrived from Independiente and played in 1947-48. He made 5 league appearances and scored 1 goal.
1950's
Enrique Martegani - midfielder/ forward, arrived from Palermo (previously Boca Juniors and Estudiantes) and played his last season in 1955-56. He made 9 league appearances.
1960's
Juan Carlos Morrone - forward, arrived from Platense and played from 1960-64 and 1966-71 (with interlude with Fiorentina). He made 259 appearances and scored 53 goals. He then played for Foggia and Avellino.
After retiring he stayed at Lazio from 1975-85 working in the youth academy. He was also head coach for the last 5 games in 1982-83, winning promotion to Serie A and then until December in the top flight. He became a true Laziale known as "El Gaucho" or Italianised Giancarlo.
After Lazio he continued coaching in Italy in the lower leagues.
1970's
Antonio Labonia - midfielder, arrived from Crotone (grew up at River Plate) and played from 1978-80. He made 5 league appearances. He returned to Argentina in 1981.
1980's
Fabio Nigro - forward, arrived from Viterbese (had also played for River Plate) and was at Lazio in the 1987-88 season. He made 9 appearances and Lazio won promotion. In 1996 he returned to Argentina.
Late 1980's and 90's
Gustavo Dezotti - forward, arrived from Newell's Old Boys and played in the 1988-89 season. He made 38 appearances and scored 9 goals (3 in A). He had more luck at Cremonese (154 games with 51 goals) and in 1994 left for Mexico before returning to Argentina in 1997.
He won 7 caps for the Albiceleste and was runner-up in Italia '90. He was known as "Ciccio bello" and was not a great success but scored a fundamental goal against Sampdoria which contributed to Lazio’s survival in Serie A.
Pedro Troglio - midfielder, arrived from Verona after five seasons at River Plate and played from 1989-91. He made 41 appearances and scored 1 goal (Milan). He gave a good contribution but was sold due to foreign player restrictions and the arrival of Thomas Doll. The fans still chant his name in a song that includes Ruben Sosa and Amarildo.
He left for Ascoli and in 1997 returned to Argentina after a three-year spell in Japan. He won 21 caps for Argentina with 2 goals and was runner-up at Italia '90.
He has since become a successful head coach at various Argentinian clubs.
José Antonio Chamot - defender, arrived from Foggia (previously Rosario Central and Pisa) and played from 1994-98. He made 131 appearances and scored 2 goals. In 1998 he won a Coppa Italia with Lazio. He then played for Atletico Madrid, Milan (winning a Champions League), Leganés, before returning to Rosario Central in 2004.
He won 43 caps for his country with 2 goals. He was an excellent defender, solid, quick and technical. He too was known as "El Flaco".
Matías Almeyda - midfielder, arrived from Sevilla (previously River Plate) and played from 1997-2000. He made 93 appearances and scored 2 goals (his goal away at Parma is one of the best in Lazio history). He won a Scudetto, the Coppa Italia twice, an Italian Supercoppa, a UEFA Cup Winners Cup and Super Cup. He left for Parma in the deal that brought Hernan Crespo to Lazio. He was an unsung hero at Lazio and immensely popular.
He returned to Argentina in 2005, after more clubs in Serie A (Inter amd Brescia), England (WBA) and Chile, then Norway and Argentina again.
He earned 40 caps for Argentina with 1 goal. He won a Silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He is now a manager, he started in Argentina and is now with AEK Athens.
Juan Sebastian Verón - midfielder, arrived from Parma (previously Estudiantes, Boca Juniors and Sampdoria) and played from 1999-2001. He made 79 appearances and scored 14 goals (including derby winner in 2000). He won a Scudetto, a Coppa Italia and a UEFA Super Cup. A wonderful player, on his day one of the best in Lazio history. "La Bruja" was also called "La luce" at Lazio so dazzling were his performances.
He then played for Manchester United, Chelsea and Inter before returning to Estudiantes in 2006.
He won 72 caps for Argentina with 9 goals. He won Silver at Atlanta '96 and in the 2007 Copa América.
He is now Estudiantes president.
Diego Simeone - midfielder, arrived from Inter (previously Vélez Sarsfield, Pisa, Sevilla) and played from 1999-2003. He made 136 appearances and scored 18 goals. He won a Scudetto (one of the key protagonists with his determination and crucial goals), a Coppa Italia, an Italian Supercoppa and a UEFA Super Cup. A great box to box midfielder, "El Cholo" is still idolised by Lazio fans.
He left for Atletico Madrid and in January 2005 returned to Argentina to Racing Club.
He won 106 caps for Argentina with 11 goals and won two Copa Américas, a Confederations Cup and a Silver medal at Atlanta '96.
He then became a coach in Argentina (Racing Club, Estudiantes, River Plate and San Lorenzo) before returning to Europe. After a brief stint at Catania he has now been at Atlético Madrid for 14 seasons.
Néstor Sensini - defender/midfielder, arrived from Parma (previously Newell's Old Boys and Udinese) and played in the 1999-2000 season. He made 39 appearances and scored 2 goals. He won a Scudetto, a Coppa Italia, an Italian Supercoppa and a UEFA Super Cup. A solid, reliable and professional defender or midfielder he gave Lazio extra experience to win several trophies.
In November 2000 he returned to Parma and then Udinese.
He won 59 caps for Argentina. He was runner-up in Italia '90 World Cup and silver medallist at Atlanta Olympics '96.
He then became a coach in Argentina and Chile.
2000's to present day
Claudio López - forward, arrived from Valencia (previously Estudiantes and Racing Club) and played from 2000-2004. He made 144 appearances and scored 40 goals. He won a Coppa Italia and an Italian Supercoppa. He had lightning speed, good skills and an accurate shot. He was a success at Lazio but also limited by a bad injury so never reached his Valencia heights.
He left for Mexico in 2004, then Argentina (Racing Club) and finally USA.
He won 54 caps for Argentina with 10 goals. He won Silver at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.
He has since become a sporting director.
Hernán Crespo - forward, arrived from Parma (previously River Plate) and played from 2000-2002. He made 73 appearances and scored 48 goals. He won an Italian Supercoppa. A superb striker who scored regularly but he too suffered from an injury at Lazio. A prolific and amazing player who could have won more at Lazio.
He left for Inter and then played for Chelsea, Milan, Inter, Genoa and Parma again.
He won 64 caps for Argentina and scored 35 goals. He won Silver at Atlanta '96 and in the Copa América 2007.
He has since become a manager.
Lucas Castromán - midfielder, arrived from Vélez Sarsfield and played from 2001-2003. He made 42 appearances and scored 4 goals (including one of the most iconic in Lazio history, the derby equaliser in 2001 after being 0-2 down). A popular figure at Lazio he then went to Udinese on loan before returning to Vélez Sarsfield in 2004 and later America (Mexico), Boca Juniors and Racing Club.
Juan Pablo Sorin - defender/midfielder, arrived from Cruzeiro on loan (previously Argentinos Juniors, Juventus, Rive Plate) and played in 2002-03. He made 11 appearances and did not leave much of a mark. Then continued his career at Barcelona, P.S.G, Cruzeiro, Villarreal, SV Hamburger and Cruzeiro again.
He won 75 caps for Argentina with 11 goals and was runner-up in the 2004 Copa América.
Esteban González - midfielder, arrived from Gimnasia La Plata on loan (previously Belgrano) and played in the 2004-05 season. He was one of the numerous unknown players Claudio Lotito signed on the last day of the transfer market. He only made 3 appearances and then went back to Argentina (Gimnasia, Colón, Gimnasia, Tigre and Belgrano) with a brief interlude in Spain (Las Palmas).
He is now a coach in Argentina.
Matías Lequi - defender, arrived from Atlético Madrid (previously Rosario Central) and played in 2004-05. He was among the block of Lotito's first signings. He made 6 appearances. He looked classy and was not without talent but lacked speed. He returned to Spain (Celta Vigo), then Greece (Iraklis), Spain (Las Palmas) before returning to Argentina in 2011 (Rosario Central, All Boys), Paraguay (Sp. Luqueño), Argentina again (Aldosivi and Sarmiento).
He is now a coach in Argentina.
Leonardo Talamonti - defender, arrived from Rosario Central on loan and played in 2004-05 (part of block). He made 13 appearances and scored 1 goal (equaliser in 1-1 away at Inter). He made an excellent contribution in the 3-1 winning derby playing alongside Giuliano Giannichedda at the back. He was one of the better semi-unknown players who only stayed that year. He then went to Atalanta and returned to Argentina in 2011 (Rosario Central, Sp.Belgrano, Atlanta, Platense)
Cristian Ledesma - defender, arrived from Lecce (previously Boca Juniors youth academy) and played from 2006-15. He made 318 appearances and scored 14 goals (including superb goal in a 3-0 winning derby). He was vice-captain and a solid and reliable holding midfielder who gradually won over Lazio fans' hearts. He then continued his career in Brazil (Santos), Greece (Panathinaikos), Italy (Ternana), Switzerland (Lugano) and Italy again (Pro Piacenza).
He is now a coach in Italy.
He became an Italian citizen and earned 1 cap for the Azzurri.
Lionel Scaloni - defender, arrived from Racing Santander (previously Newell's Old Boys, Estudiantes, Deportivo La Coruña and West-Ham) and played in 2007-08 and from 2009-13 (with a spell at Mallorca on loan). He made 67 appearances and scored 1 goal (Parma). He was usually a reserve at Lazio but was admired for his determination and always gave everything he had. He then ended his career with two seasons at Atalanta.
He earned 7 caps for Argentina.
In 2018 he surprisingly became Argentina head coach and has since won a World Cup and the Copa América twice. He is still in charge of the Albiceleste.
Mauro Zárate - forward, arrived from Birmingham City but was owned by Al-Saad (previously Vélez Sarsfield) and played from 2008-11 and in 2012-13. He made 126 appearances and scored 34 goals. He was a huge talent with moments of absolute brilliance but lacked consistency. He won the Coppa Italia twice and an Italian Supercoppa. He fell out with Lotito and went to Inter on loan and then only played one game in his second spell in Rome.
His career continued with Vélez Sarsfield, West-Ham, QPR, West-Ham again, Fiorentina, Watford, Al-Nasr (UAE), Vélez again, Boca Juniors, America MG (Brazil), Juventude (Brazil), Cosenza and Danubio (Uruguay).
A career that could and should have been better for such a talented player.
Juan Pablo Carrizo - goalkeeper, arrived from River Plate and played in 2008-09, 2011-Jan 2012, 2012 -Jan 2013 (with loan spells to Real Saragozza , River Plate and Catania in between). He made 27 appearances for Lazio. He arrived with a reputation as a great goalkeeper and was welcomed with enthusiasm. Things didn't work out and he proved unreliable. He lost his place to young Uruguayan Fernando Muslera. Carrizo's highpoint was a penalty shootout against Siena in 2012. He won a Coppa Italia at Lazio in 2009 but also contributed to the 2013 triumph.
He continued his career as reserve keeper at Inter, then Monterrey (Mexico) and Cerro Porteño (Paraguay).
He won 12 caps with Argentina and was runner-up in the 2007 Copa América.
Albano Bizzarri - goalkeeper, arrived from Catania (previously Racing Club, Real Madrid, Real Valladolid and Gimnastic) and played from 2009-13. He made 26 appearances and won a Coppa Italia and a Supercoppa. He was a reliable reserve keeper. He then went on to Genoa, Chievo, Pescara, Udinese, Foggia and Perugia.
Julio Cruz - forward, arrived from Inter (previously Banfield, River Plate, Fwywnoord and Bologna) and played in 2009-10 before retiring. He made 30 appearances and scored 4 goals and won a Supercoppa. He was a quality and prolific forward known as "El Jardinero" but arrived at Lazio at the end of his career.
He won 22 caps for Argentina and scored 3 goals.
Lucas Biglia - midfielder, arrived from Anderlecht (previously Argentinos Juniors and Independiente) and played from 2013-17. He made 133 appearances and scored 13 goals. He was a good defensive midfielder who had positive years at Lazio. His nickname was "El Principito". He went on to Milan, Fatih Karagümruk and İstanbul Başakşehir.
He earned 58 caps for Argentina with 1 goal. He was runner-up at the 2014 World Cup, 2015 and 2016 Copa América.
Diego Novaretti - defender, arrived from Toluca in Mexico (previously Belgrano) and played from 2013-15. He made 24 appearances for the Biancocelesti. He was a big centre-back, strong but a bit slow and was mainly a back-up player. He went on to León and Queretaro in Mexico and then in 2019 returned to Argentina, Rosario Cenand Belgrano. He was another "El Flaco".
Santiago Gentiletti - defender, arrived from San Lorenzo (previously Gimnasia, Osorio, O'Higgins, Argentinos Juniors in his homeland and Brest on loan in France) and played from 2014-16. He made 33 appearances and scored 1 goal (Sampdoria). He made a promising start but unfortunately suffered a serious injury in his second game and then played 27 games in his second season. He went on to Genoa, Albacete (Spain) before returning to Argentina in 2019 to Newell's Old Boys. He was nicknamed "El Cueco" (Crooked).
Joaquín Correa - forward, arrived from Sevilla (previously River Plate youth academy, then Estudiantes and Sampdoria) and played from 2018-21. He made 117 appearances and scored 30 goals. He won a Coppa Italia (scoring the second goal in a 2-0 win against Atalanta) and an Italian Supercoppa. He is a quick and technical forward who likes to play out wide, he perhaps lacks consistency. He went on to play for Inter, Olympique Marseille and is now back at Inter.
He has won 20 caps for Argentina with 4 goals. He won a Copa América in 2021.
Gonzalo Escalante - midfielder, arrived from Eibar in Spain (previously Boca Juniors and Catania) and played from 2020 to January 2022. He made 31 appearances and is a solid defensive midfielder but never really left his mark at Lazio. He went on to Alavés and Cremonese on loan and then Cadiz.
Luka Romero - forward, arrived from Mallorca at 16 and played from 2021-23. He made 21 appearances with 1 goal (winner in A against Monza). He is the youngest player ever to have made his debut for Lazio (16, 9 months and 10 days). He was the umpteenth youngster to have the "next Messi" tag put on him. At Lazio he showed flashes of class but then moved on to Milan (only 5 games), Almeria, Alavés and Cruz Azul (Mexico).
He is still only 21 but has not lived up to expectations yet.
Mateo Musacchio - defender, arrived from Milan (previously River Plate, Villareal) and played from January 2021 to June. He only made 5 appearances and made a huge blunder in the Champions League giving away the first goal against Bayern Munich. He was not a success and then retired.
He won 6 caps for Argentina.
Valentin "Taty" Castellanos - forward, arrived from Girona in Spain (previously Universidad de Chile, Uruguayans Torque and New York City). His claim to fame when he arrived in Rome was having scored 4 goals in one match against Real Madrid. He has played for Lazio since 2023 so has just completed his second season. In the first he was back up to Ciro Immobile and made 46 total appearances with 6 goals. In 2024-25 he was first choice centre-forward and made 40 appearances (29 in A) with 14 goals (10 in A). He is a dynamic forward who works hard for the team, is good in the air and scores some acrobatic goals.
He has 2 caps for Argentina.
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