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| 2000 Intercontinental Cup |
Please also see my All-Time World Cup Team Index.
Boca Juniors, River Plate, Independiente, Estudiantes de La Plata
San Lorenzo , Racing Club, Velez Sarsfield.
Argentine-born players capped by other national teams
Argentina World Cup 1946
Angels with Dirty Faces with Di Stefano in the WC 1958
Argentina All-Time Team before 1978,
Argentina All-Time Team After Maradona.
Provincia de Córdoba, Argentina All-Time Team
Provincia de Santa Fe, Argentina All-Time Team
The City of Buenos Aires
Argentina All-Time Team without players from Santa Fe, Cordoba and Buenos Aires
Angels with Dirty Faces with Di Stefano in the WC 1958
Argentina All-Time Team before 1978,
Argentina All-Time Team After Maradona.
Provincia de Córdoba, Argentina All-Time Team
Provincia de Santa Fe, Argentina All-Time Team
The City of Buenos Aires
Argentina All-Time Team without players from Santa Fe, Cordoba and Buenos Aires
This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for the club. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League.
Boca Juniors is also known to be the one of the most popular football clubs in South America. It has won a total of 22 international titles,with 18 recognized by FIFA and CONMEBOL. According to that, Boca is ranked fourth in the world in terms of number of internationally recognized titles, together with A.C. Milan and behind Real Madrid. Boca Juniors is also one of only eight teams to have won CONMEBOL's treble.
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| 2007 Copa Libertadores |
Team
GK: Antonio Roma (Argentina)
Nicknamed Tarzan, Roma started his career with Ferrocarril Oeste in 1955. Together with teammate Silvio Marzolini, he joined Boca Juniors in 1959. With the club, Roma won the Argentine League of 1962, 1964, 1965, and the Campeonato Nacional 1969 and 1970. In 1969 he kept his goal clear for 783 minutes. Capped 42 times. He went to the World Cup Finals in 1962 and 1966.
GK: Hugo Gatti (Argentina)
Hugo Gatto was nicknamed El Loco (The Madman). At the club level, he won three national championships, two Copa Libertadores tournaments, and one Intercontinental Cup with Boca Juniors. He would frequently leave the penalty area to function as an additional field player. He also played Atlante, River Plate, Union Santa Fe and Gimnasia. He was voted Player of the Year of Argentina in 1982. He earned 18 caps. He went to the World Cup Finals in 1966.
GK: Oscar Cordoba (Colombia)
GK: Antonio Roma (Argentina)
Nicknamed Tarzan, Roma started his career with Ferrocarril Oeste in 1955. Together with teammate Silvio Marzolini, he joined Boca Juniors in 1959. With the club, Roma won the Argentine League of 1962, 1964, 1965, and the Campeonato Nacional 1969 and 1970. In 1969 he kept his goal clear for 783 minutes. Capped 42 times. He went to the World Cup Finals in 1962 and 1966.
GK: Hugo Gatti (Argentina)
Hugo Gatto was nicknamed El Loco (The Madman). At the club level, he won three national championships, two Copa Libertadores tournaments, and one Intercontinental Cup with Boca Juniors. He would frequently leave the penalty area to function as an additional field player. He also played Atlante, River Plate, Union Santa Fe and Gimnasia. He was voted Player of the Year of Argentina in 1982. He earned 18 caps. He went to the World Cup Finals in 1966.
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| Hugo Gatti |
Oscar Cordoba played for Boca Juniors from 1997 to 2001, perhaps the greatest club side in a generation. With them, he won the Copa Libertadores 2000 and 2001, and the Intercontinental Cup of 2000. With 73 caps, he is Colombia's cap record holder for a goalkeeper. He was the starting keeper that won the 2001 Copa America, Colombia's first ever title. He named the goalkeeper of the tournament. He was a member of two World Cup team(1994 and 1998).
RB: Carlos Sosa (Argentina)
Carlos Sosa started his career with Atlanta in 1939. He joined Boca Juniors in the 1941, where he established as one of the best defenders of his generation. He was also being part of a memorable midfield line along with Ernesto Lazzatti and Natalio Pescia. He won two Argentine Primera División. He went to play in France for Racing Paris and Red Stars in Paris. With Argentina, he was capped 12 times. He won two Copa Americas(1945 and 1946).
RB: Carlos Sosa (Argentina)
Carlos Sosa started his career with Atlanta in 1939. He joined Boca Juniors in the 1941, where he established as one of the best defenders of his generation. He was also being part of a memorable midfield line along with Ernesto Lazzatti and Natalio Pescia. He won two Argentine Primera División. He went to play in France for Racing Paris and Red Stars in Paris. With Argentina, he was capped 12 times. He won two Copa Americas(1945 and 1946).
RB: Hugo Ibarra (Argentina)
Hugo Ibarra is an icon at Boca Juniors where he has played over 200 games in three separate stints at the club and won 15 titles. He won four Copa Libertadores: 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007. In between, he played in Porto, Monaco and Espanyol in Europe. For Argentina, he earned 11 caps between 1998 and 2007. He participated in two Copa Americas. He was named twice on the South American Team of the Year in 2006 and 2007.
CB: Jorge Bermudez (Colombia)
Jorge Bermudez was a participant at the 1992 Summer Olympics and went on to play 56 times for the full international squad including appearances at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France and in three editions of the Copa América. He was best remembered for playing with Boca Juniors between 1997 and 2001. He won a Copa Libertadores in 2000.
CB: Roberto Mouzo (Argentina)
Roberto Mouzo played the vast majority of his career for Boca Juniors, being the all-time most appearing player for the team, with 426 matches played. Mouzo also won 6 titles with the club, including the Copa Libertadores of 1977 and 1978. He had short spells with Estudiantes de Río Cuarto and Club 9 de Octubre in Ecuador at the end of his career. He was capped 4 times between 1974 and 1983 for Argentina.
Jorge Bermudez was a participant at the 1992 Summer Olympics and went on to play 56 times for the full international squad including appearances at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France and in three editions of the Copa América. He was best remembered for playing with Boca Juniors between 1997 and 2001. He won a Copa Libertadores in 2000.
CB: Roberto Mouzo (Argentina)
Roberto Mouzo played the vast majority of his career for Boca Juniors, being the all-time most appearing player for the team, with 426 matches played. Mouzo also won 6 titles with the club, including the Copa Libertadores of 1977 and 1978. He had short spells with Estudiantes de Río Cuarto and Club 9 de Octubre in Ecuador at the end of his career. He was capped 4 times between 1974 and 1983 for Argentina.
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| Roberto Mouzo |
CB: Ludovico Bidoglio (Argentina)
Ludovico Bidoglio was an early player for Boca Juniors. He made his debut with the club before the club was officially named as Boca Juniors. He played for them from 1922 to 1931. The club in his first match was listed as "Juventud de Boca". He was capped 27 times, winning two Copa America in1925 and 1927 for Argentina.
CB: Julio Meléndez (Peru)
Julio Meléndez was nicknamed "Black Diamond". He was one of the best South American defender of his generation. He played for Boca Juniors between 1968 and 1972. He was considered one of Boca Juniors greatest players, and voted into their team of Century. He was capped 35 times for Peru. He was a part of their great team in the 1970's, but did not play in the World Cup. He won the Copa America in 1975.
LB: Silvio Marzolini (Argentina)
In 1959, Silvio Marzolini started his career with Ferro Carril Oeste. He played a year there before joining Boca Juniors. He joined Boca Juniors where he played until 1972. During his time there, he was an idol. He was considered one of the greatest leftbacks in Latin American football history. For Argentina, he had 28 caps between 1960 and 1969. He went to the 1962 and the 1966 World Cup Finals. He made the team of the tournament in 1966.
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| Júlio Meléndez and Silvio Marzolini |
Born in Spain, Ariuco Suarez grew up in Argentina. He played for Boca Juniors between 1930 and 1942 where he won five league championships and for the Argentina national team, including appearances at the inaugural World Cup in 1930, making him the only Canary Islander to play in the World Cup until Juan Carlos Valerón played the 2002 edition.
DM: Sebastián Battaglia (Argentina)
Sebastian Battaglia is the most decorated player in Boca Juniors' history, having won 18 titles with the club between 1998 and 2012. He won 4 Copa Libertadores and 2 Intercontinental Cups. He had two stints with Boca Juniors and a one year stint in the 2002-20023 season with Villarreal in between his two Boca Juniors stint. At the international level, he earned 10 caps between 2003 and 2009.
DM/CM: Rúben Suñé (Argentina)
Suñé started his career in 1967 with Boca Juniors. In, 1971 Suñé was involved in a notorious Copa Libertadores match against Sporting Cristal where all but two of the Boca Juniors players were sent off. Suñé played for Huracán and Unión de Santa Fe before returning to Boca Juniors in 1976. Boca then had one of the most successful periods in their history claiming two league championships, two Copa Libertadores titles and the 1977 Copa Intercontinental. Capped 6 times.
CM/DM: Antonio Rattin (Argentina)
Antonio Rattin played his entire career with Boca Juniors between 1956 and 1970. He was remembered for getting send-off against England at the World Cup Finals in 1966, in which he refused to leave the field. This incident, and others surrounding the same game, arguably started the long-lasting rivalry between the national teams of Argentina and England. He earned 34 caps between 1959 and 1969, and also went to the World Cup Finals in 1962.
DM/CM: Natalio Pescia (Argentina)
Sebastian Battaglia is the most decorated player in Boca Juniors' history, having won 18 titles with the club between 1998 and 2012. He won 4 Copa Libertadores and 2 Intercontinental Cups. He had two stints with Boca Juniors and a one year stint in the 2002-20023 season with Villarreal in between his two Boca Juniors stint. At the international level, he earned 10 caps between 2003 and 2009.
DM/CM: Rúben Suñé (Argentina)
Suñé started his career in 1967 with Boca Juniors. In, 1971 Suñé was involved in a notorious Copa Libertadores match against Sporting Cristal where all but two of the Boca Juniors players were sent off. Suñé played for Huracán and Unión de Santa Fe before returning to Boca Juniors in 1976. Boca then had one of the most successful periods in their history claiming two league championships, two Copa Libertadores titles and the 1977 Copa Intercontinental. Capped 6 times.
CM/DM: Antonio Rattin (Argentina)
Antonio Rattin played his entire career with Boca Juniors between 1956 and 1970. He was remembered for getting send-off against England at the World Cup Finals in 1966, in which he refused to leave the field. This incident, and others surrounding the same game, arguably started the long-lasting rivalry between the national teams of Argentina and England. He earned 34 caps between 1959 and 1969, and also went to the World Cup Finals in 1962.
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| Antonio Rattin |
Pescia was part of one of the most remembered midfield lines in the history of Boca Juniors, along with Carlos Sosa and Ernesto Lazzatti between 1943 and 1947 when Boca Juniros won the 1943 and 1944 domestic leagues, apart from one Copa Ibarguren, one Copa de Competencia Británica and two Copa Escobar-Gerona. At the international level, he received his first callus in 1945, but made his debut in 1946. He was capped 12 times
DM: Blas Giunta (Argentina)
Giunta started his career at San Lorenzo. Then, he played for many teams in Argentina, Mexico and Spain, but he was famous for playing for Boca Juniors. He played almost 200 matches with Boca Juniors, and won the Supercopa Sudamericana 1989, Recopa Sudamericana 1990, Copa Masters 1992, and Apertura Championship 1992. For Argentina, he had 7 caps between 1987 and 1991. He won the Copa América in 1991.
AM/CM: Juan Roman Riquelme (Argentina)
Juan Roman Riquelme was the best Argentine player of his generation. He spent most of his career with Boca Juniors, but also had a significant spell in Spain with Villarreal. He was a club legend with Boca Juniors. He won 4 Copa Libertadores and a single Intercontionental Cup. With Villarreal, he reached the semifinal of the Champions' League in 2005. For Argentina, he was only capped 51 times, largely because of his row with manager Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.
ST: Roberto Cherro (Argentina)
Roberto Cherro played the majority of his career with Boca Juniors. he scored 221 goals in 305 games for the club in all competitions, making him Boca's highest scoring player until Martín Palermo broke it in 2010. At the international level, Cherro won the Copa América in 1929 with the Argentina national football team. On 5 February 1933, Cherro famously scored all four goals in a 4–1 win over Uruguay.
ST: Martin Palermo(Argentina)
Martin Palermo is Boca juniors' all time top scorer with 236 goals and one of the most popular players ever played for the club. He won two Copa Libertadores for them. He also played Estudiantes de La Plata, Villarreal, Real Betis, and Alavés, but without successes. He only played 15 times for Argentina. he scored a 93th minute strike against Peru that sent the team to World Cup Finals. Argentina took him to the World Cup Finals in 2010.
Honorable Mention
Squad Explanation
-- The original team was created in Jnauary, 2017. I recreated it on December, 2024.
-- At his peak, Juan Roman Riquelme was the heart and soul of the team. However, he was known for his feuds with many managers, teammates, former players, etc. He was a controversial figure, but he is probably the greatest ever player for the club even ahead of Diego Maradona. Besides as a player, he was a true fan of the club.
AM/CM: Juan Roman Riquelme (Argentina)
Juan Roman Riquelme was the best Argentine player of his generation. He spent most of his career with Boca Juniors, but also had a significant spell in Spain with Villarreal. He was a club legend with Boca Juniors. He won 4 Copa Libertadores and a single Intercontionental Cup. With Villarreal, he reached the semifinal of the Champions' League in 2005. For Argentina, he was only capped 51 times, largely because of his row with manager Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.
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| Juan Roman Riquelme |
RW: Pedro Calomino (Argentina)
Calomino is also regarded to be the first idol of Boca Juniors–where he won 9 titles– and one of the best right wingers of Argentina. He was Boca Jiuniors top scorer 6 times. With Argentina he won the 1921 South American Championship, the first official title for the national team. He was capped 37 times between 1917 and 1921. He is also the earliest known player to use the classic skill move - the stepover. He played briefly for Hispano Argentino in 1914.
RW: Mario Boye (Argentina)
"El Atómico (The Atomic One)" made his debut with Boca Juniors in 1941. With Boca he won the 1943 and 1944 Argentine leagues, and was the league's top-scorer in 1946 with 24 goals. He also played for Genoa in Italy where he became "Il Matadore" (The Killer), but returned to Argentina four seasons later. He played for Racing and Huracán. He earned 17 caps winning 3 Copa Americas.
"El Atómico (The Atomic One)" made his debut with Boca Juniors in 1941. With Boca he won the 1943 and 1944 Argentine leagues, and was the league's top-scorer in 1946 with 24 goals. He also played for Genoa in Italy where he became "Il Matadore" (The Killer), but returned to Argentina four seasons later. He played for Racing and Huracán. He earned 17 caps winning 3 Copa Americas.
AM: Diego Maradona (Argentina)
Diego Maradona was considered the second best player in history after Pele. He won the World Cup in 1986, scoring the best goal in the history of the World Cup when he scored against England. He also played in the World Cup Finals in 1982, 1990 and 1994. For club football, he was best remembered for leading Napoli to break the dominance of the Northern Italian clubs in the Serie A. Napoli won two league titles and a UEFA Cup. He was also considered to be Boca Juniors' greatest player.
Diego Maradona was considered the second best player in history after Pele. He won the World Cup in 1986, scoring the best goal in the history of the World Cup when he scored against England. He also played in the World Cup Finals in 1982, 1990 and 1994. For club football, he was best remembered for leading Napoli to break the dominance of the Northern Italian clubs in the Serie A. Napoli won two league titles and a UEFA Cup. He was also considered to be Boca Juniors' greatest player.
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| Diego Maradona |
FW/IR: Francisco Varallo (Argentina)
Francisco Varallo played for Argentina from 1930 to 1937. He was the youngest member of the team at the inaugural World Cup in 1930. He was also a member of the Argentine team that won the South American Championship in 1937. During his career, Varallo won three leagues titles with Boca Juniors, and with 181 goals, is the club's second highest all-time leading goalscorer in the professional era.
ST/SS/FW: Angel Rojas (Argentina)
Nicknamed Rojitas, Angel Rojas played most of his career for Boca Juniors. He played 224 games and scored 78 goals in all competitions. In his eight years with the club they won four league titles and an Argentine cup. Between 1972 and 1973 Rojas played in Peru with Municipal. He then had spells with Racing Club, Nueva Chicago, Club Atlético Lanús and Argentino de Quilmes. However, he only had two caps. He scored a goal in his debut against Chile in 1965.
ST/SS: Carlos Tevez (Argentina)
Tevez began his career with Boca Juniors, winning the Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup in 2003. With Manchester United, he won a Champions' League. In 2009, he joined Manchester City becoming the first player to move between the two rival clubs since Terry Cooke in 1999. He helped City win their first league title in 44 years. In 2013, he joined Juventus for £12 million and he returned to Boca Juniors in June 2015.He earned over 70 caps and appeared in two World Cup Finals.
Francisco Varallo played for Argentina from 1930 to 1937. He was the youngest member of the team at the inaugural World Cup in 1930. He was also a member of the Argentine team that won the South American Championship in 1937. During his career, Varallo won three leagues titles with Boca Juniors, and with 181 goals, is the club's second highest all-time leading goalscorer in the professional era.
ST/SS/FW: Angel Rojas (Argentina)
Nicknamed Rojitas, Angel Rojas played most of his career for Boca Juniors. He played 224 games and scored 78 goals in all competitions. In his eight years with the club they won four league titles and an Argentine cup. Between 1972 and 1973 Rojas played in Peru with Municipal. He then had spells with Racing Club, Nueva Chicago, Club Atlético Lanús and Argentino de Quilmes. However, he only had two caps. He scored a goal in his debut against Chile in 1965.
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| Angel Rojas |
Tevez began his career with Boca Juniors, winning the Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup in 2003. With Manchester United, he won a Champions' League. In 2009, he joined Manchester City becoming the first player to move between the two rival clubs since Terry Cooke in 1999. He helped City win their first league title in 44 years. In 2013, he joined Juventus for £12 million and he returned to Boca Juniors in June 2015.He earned over 70 caps and appeared in two World Cup Finals.
ST: Roberto Cherro (Argentina)
Roberto Cherro played the majority of his career with Boca Juniors. he scored 221 goals in 305 games for the club in all competitions, making him Boca's highest scoring player until Martín Palermo broke it in 2010. At the international level, Cherro won the Copa América in 1929 with the Argentina national football team. On 5 February 1933, Cherro famously scored all four goals in a 4–1 win over Uruguay.
ST: Martin Palermo(Argentina)
Martin Palermo is Boca juniors' all time top scorer with 236 goals and one of the most popular players ever played for the club. He won two Copa Libertadores for them. He also played Estudiantes de La Plata, Villarreal, Real Betis, and Alavés, but without successes. He only played 15 times for Argentina. he scored a 93th minute strike against Peru that sent the team to World Cup Finals. Argentina took him to the World Cup Finals in 2010.
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| Martin Palermo with the 2007 Copa Libertadores |
Honorable Mention
Carlos Navarro Montoya (Colombia), Carlos Navarro Montoya (Argentina), Roberto Abbondanzieri (Argentina), Americo Tesoriere (Argentina), Vicente Pernía (Argentina), Blas Giunta (Argentina), José Luis Cuciuffo (Argentina), Walter Samuel (Argentina), Oscar Ruggeri (Argentina), Nicolás Burdisso (Argentina), Alberto Tarantini (Argentina), Clemente Rodríguez (Argentina), Claudio Morel (Argentina), Rodolfo Arruabarrena (Argentina), Carlos Héctor Córdoba (Colombia), Carlos Javier MacAllister (Argentina), Fernando Gago (Argentina), Norberto Madurga (Argentina), Mauricio Serna (Colombia), Nolberto Solanno (Argentina), Ernesto Lazzatti (Argentina), Osvaldo Potente (Argentina), Marcelo Trobbiani (Argentina), Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Argentina), Alfredo Graciani (Argentina), Alberto José Márcico (Argentina), Cristian Pavón (Argentina), Hugo Perotti (Argentina), Jaime Sarlanga (Argentina), Rodrigo Palacio (Argentina), Marcelo Delgado (Argentina), Claudio Caniggia (Argentina), Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina), Alberto Mario González (Argentina), Delfin Benítez Cáceres (Paraguay), Paulo Valentim (Argentina), Jaime Sarlanga (Argentina), Domingo Tarasconi (Argentina).
-- The original team was created in Jnauary, 2017. I recreated it on December, 2024.
-- Diego Maradona, Silvio Marzolini, Carlos Tevez, Angel Rojas, Martin Palermo and Juan Roman Riquelme are Boca Junior some of the greatest players.
-- The four Copa Liberradores winning teams in the 2000's are under represented in this team. I selected Hugo Ibarra and Sebastián Battaglia for their contributions to this era. Of course, I selected the star players such Carlos Terez, Juan Roman Riquelme and Martin Palermo. However, Mauricio Serna, Oscar Cordoba, Walter Samuel and Jorge Bermúdez deserved a spot.
-- The teams that won the back-to-back Copa Libertadores in 1977 and 1978 are even more underrepresented. Hugo Gatti and Roberto Mouzo were the only players I have selected. Alberto Tarantini missed out due to his bad relation ship with the club.
-- The Goal.com created a ranking of Boca Juniors' 20 greatest footballers. The ranking was as followed: 1) Juan Román Riquelme
2) Diego Maradona, 3) Martín Palermo, 4) Carlos Tevez, 5) Ángel Clemente Rojas, 6) Francisco Varallo, 7) Guillermo Barros Schelotto, 8) Jorge Bermúdez, 9) Hugo Gatti, 10) Antonio Rattín, 11) Sebastián Battaglia, 12) Rubén Suné, 13) Rolando Schiavi, 14) Oscar Córdoba, 15) Natalio Pescia, 16) Roberto Mouzo, 17) Mario Boyé, 18) Hugo Ibarra, 19) Alberto Márcico and 20) Blas Giunta.
-- In 2017, BBVA, official sponsor of the team, chose their All-Time Best XI for the team. I considered this was the official team for the team. The line up was: Hugo Gatti, Hugo Ibarra, Julio Meléndez, Roberto Mouzo, Silvio Martolini, Antonio Rattín, Sebastián Battaglia, Juan Román Riquelme, Diego Armando Maradona, Mario Boyé and Martín Palermo.
-- The 90min.com chose the All-Time Best XI for Boca Juniors in 2021. The lineup was: Oscar Cordoba, Roberto Mouzo, Clemente Rodriguez, Hugo Ibarra, Blas Giunta, Jorge Bermudez, Angel Rojas, Ruben Sune, Martin Palermo, Juan Roman Riquelme and Martin Palermo.
-- In 2020, the Diario Uno from Mendozo, Argentina also created their Boca Juniors All-Time Best XI. They were: Oscar Cordoba, Hugo Ibarra, Rolando Schiavi, Roberto Mouzo, Silvio Marzolini, Sebastián Battaglia, Juan Roman Riquelme, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Diego Maradona, Mario Boye and Martin Palermo.
Goalkeepers
-- Boca Juniors boasts a rich history of exceptional goalkeepers, with Antonio Roma and Hugo Gatti standing out as two prominent figures. Gatti, who secured six titles with Boca, notably clinched the club's inaugural Copa Libertadores victory. His legacy extends to holding the record for the most appearances in Argentine football history, a remarkable 765 games. On the other hand, Roma ascended to legendary status among Boca Juniors fans for his heroic save against River Plate's Delém, a crucial penalty stop that helped Boca Juniors to a league tile in 1962. He was also much more famous outside of Argentina due to him being a fixture on the national team. Most other Argentine goalkeepers from the club did not do as well on the international stage.
-- In 2017, I took Americo Tesoriere as the third keeper due to the fact that he was the first star keeper for the club. I just honored his seniority. However, during the review of the team in 2025, I decided to focus on Oscar Cordoba, Carlos Navarro Montoya, Carlos Alberto Rodríguez and Roberto Abbondanzieri. I chose Cordoba because he was usually on the top of most lists. He won two Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup, making him a legend with the club. He should be even ranked higher than Gatti and Roma.
-- Roberto Abbondanzieri was not far from Cordoba. He was named South American Goalkeeper of the Year in 2003. He also won three Copa Libertadores. Carlos Navarro Montoya and Carlos Alberto Rodríguez were relatively unknown outside of South America.
Defenders
-- Ludovico Bidoglio made 209 appearances and played 10 years for the club. His position is listed as a centerback on the right side. Roberto Mouzo holds the record for most appearances for Boca. He was probably Boca Junior's best centerback. "El Patron" as they called Jorger Bermudez in Boca Juniors was a fan favorite and the captain of the 2000 Copa Libertadores and the following Intercontinental Cup.
-- The last centerback position was between Domingos Da Guia, Oscar Ruggeri, Rolando Schiavi, Walter Samuel and Julio Meléndez.
-- Oscar Ruggeri moved to River Plater from Boca Juniors, His house was set on fire by the fans. So the Boca fans probably won't like his selection. Besides, he was not as decorated as others. Walter Samuel played two seasons as a starter for the club. Rolando Schiavi was ranked 13th greatest footballer from Boca Juniors by Goal.com. However, he was simply not as famous as the other choices outside South America. So it was between Domingos Da Guia and Julio Meléndez.
-- Domingos Da Guia he only stayed in Bocas Juniors for two seasons while Julio Meléndez was voted as a member of Boca Juniors Team of the Century in 2017. He was also their captain. So, I left off the Brazilian even though he was probably the best defender ever from South America.
-- On the right side, Carlos Sosa who is basically a forgotten player outside Argentina is often rated as one of the greatest rightback from Argentina. Of course, Hugo Ibarra is probably Boca Juniors' greatest rightback. They edged out Vicente Pernía who was known to receive many red cards in his career. He was bypassed for the 1978 World Cup Finals by César Menotti.
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| Hugo Ibarra |
-- Silvio Marzolini not only was Boca Juniors' greatest leftback. He was probably Argentina's greatest leftback. He is among the greatest ever player for Boca Juniors. The backup leftback was harder to decide. Alberto Tarantini, Clemente Rodríguez, Claudio Morel, Rodolfo Arruabarrena, Carlos Héctor Córdoba and Carlos Javier MacAllister were in consideration. Selecting Alberto Tarantini, who departed the club under contentious circumstances and later played for River Plate, would be a controversial choice. I did not understand the nature of the constrict between him and then Boca Juniors President Alberto J. Armando. It left a sour note between the two parties. However, he won a World Cup in 1978, which gave him a special status in Argentina. I was tempted to take him, but the Boca Juniors fans would prefer someone else. Nevertheless, he deserved to be on honorable mention. So, I went after a largely forgotten player. Arico Suárez, who functioned as a left-half in his era, a position akin to a modern left-back in football, participated in the 1930 World Cup Finals representing Argentina. He was recognized by comme on bigsoccer.com as the 41st best left-back in the history of the sport. He also spent 12 seasons with Boca Juniors, making him an iconic player.
Midfielders/Wingers
-- DM Sebastián Battaglia is the most decorated player in Boca's history. He won 7 League titles, 4 Copa Libertadores, 2 Copa Intercontinental, 1 Copa Sudamericana, 3 Recopa Sudamericana, and 1 Copa Argentina. Antonio Rattin spent his entire professional career with Boca Juniors. He gained notoriety for the incident involving the referee during the 1966 World Cup Finals game between Argentina and England.
-- Then, I selected Rubén Suñé one of the idols of the club. He was the captain of the first Copa Libertadores victory. He scored one of the club's most famous goal in history against River Plate in 1976 sealing the Nacional title for the club.
-- Natalio Pescia, renowned for being part of the legendary Boca Juniors midfield alongside Carlos Sosa and Ernesto Lazzatti in 1940's. For Argentina, he was one of the five players who won three South American Championship 3 times in a row. The goal.com ranked him as the 14th greatest player for the club. An iconic stand at La Bombonera was also named after him.
-- Blas Giunta, honored as the 23rd greatest Boca Juniors player by Goal.com and a member of 90min.com's All-Time Best XI, captivated fans with his exceptional dedication to the club. I decided to take an extra defensive midfielder over Guillermo Barros Schelotto.
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| Blas Giunta |
-- I think Diego Maradona is the obvious choice for this all-time team. He is the greatest ever player for Boca Juniors. However, some of the all-time teams I found on the internet left him off. Maradona did not play many games for Boca Juniors and he won only a single title. He was also not a homegrown. Yes, that counted against him, but Maradona is Maradona. His name is in the hearts of every Boca Juniors fan. He was unstoppable during his first stint at the club. His heart also bleeds Blue and yellow.
-- Because of Riquelme and Maradona, I left off Ernesto Lazzatti. Affectionately known as "El Pibe de Or (The Golden Kid)", he raised through the youth rank. He was both adept at both attacking and defending, which set him apart from both Riquelme and Maradona, but I did not have enough space for him.
-- I did not have many choices on the wide positions. Guillermo Barros Schelotto formed a great partnership with Martin Palermo, He was a wing-forward playing mainly on the right, but he could also play in many positions. But was he greater than Mario Boye or Pedro Calomino? However, Boye could be considered more renowned as he held the position of starting right winger for Argentina during the 1940s, a time when Argentina was widely considered to be the best national team of that era. He was one of five players to have won three South American Championship in a row. He was also the league's top scorer in 1946 during the prime of River Plate's La Máquina, an era full of great Argentine footballers. Meanwhile, Pedro Calomino, known as the first idol of Boca Juniors, won 9 titles with the club. He was a top right winger in Argentina and helped Argentina win the 1921 South American Championship, their first official title. Additionally, he was credited as the pioneering player to employ the "stepover" move. Schelotto also played as an attack midfielder. He could not get ahead of Riquelme or Maradona.
-- Ideally, I should opt for a left-sided wide player. Hugo Perotti specialized as a natural left winger, while Cristian Pavón and Alberto José Márcico also operated on the left flank. However, it would be challenging for either of them to break into team in the places of the other legendary figures of Boca Juniors.
Forwards
--Carlos Tevez won the Intercontinental Cup in 2003, which was an important era in the modern period of the club. It was an era when European teams dominated. It put South American club football back on the map. He also returned to help the club at the twilight of his career. Martin Palermo is Boca juniors' all-time top scorer with 236 goals and one of the most popular players ever played at the Bosteros.
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| Carlos Tevez |
-- Roberto Cherro, a dominant force at Boca Juniors from 1926 to 1938, was celebrated for his aerial prowess, strength, and speed. Known as "El Apilador," he netted 218 goals in 301 games, winning the golden boot thrice and securing five national championships. Cherro surpassed his teammate Domingo Tarasconi's record of 193 goals. Tarasconi, dubbed "El Patadura," was famous for his powerful long-range shots and won the golden boot five times and five titles with Boca, immortalized in a tango song by Carlos Gardel. In the end, I only put Tarasconi on honorable mentions because he was ranked as the 4th greatest scorer for the club behind the other strikers.
-- Angel Clemente Rojas was honored as the 5th greatest player from Boca Juniors from Goal.com. The 90min.com also put him on their All-Time best XI. Francisco Varallo played as an inside right for Argentina in the 1930 World Cup Finals. He was Boca Juniors 3rd All-Time leading scorer. He would have scored more goals if his career did not end prematurely at the age of 29.
-- Paulo Valentim was well-respected in his time, but I carried too many attackers. Gabriel Batistuta only spent a year at the club, but he was the league's top scorer. Claudio Caniggia formed a great duo with Diego Maradona in the 1990's, but somehow, they failed to win titles. They only made honorable mentions.
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| Metropolitano champion 1981 |
Formation
I do not think this is a working formation. Roman Riquelme and Diego Maradona probably cannot play on the same field, but I cannot drop either of them. Carlos Sosa was a better overall player, but I started Hugo Ibarra. Julio Meléndez (Peru) could also start over Jorge Bermudez.
