Argentina and Spain share a long footballing relationship, with some of the Latin American giants’ most iconic players plying their trade in La Liga. From Alfredo de Stefano in the 1950s to Mario Kempes, Diego Maradona, Jorge Valdano and Leo Messi, the Argentine elite have been part of the Spanish football architecture. While some bring Latin American finesse, others import the tough never-say-die attitude, something that has also entered La Roja’s DNA.TOI takes a look at the best Argentine players at Spanish clubs who are now looking to challenge Spain’s charge for their second World Cup title.LIONEL MESSIThe boy from Rosario is synonymous with FC Barcelona. Joining the La Masia academy at the age of 13 in 2000, he spent the next 21 years at the club, establishing himself as the player he is today, winning 35 titles with the Catalans. However, due to Barça’s financial problems, he had to leave in 2021. The Spanish FA also tried to convince Messi to declare for Spain when he was young, but Messi chose to play for Argentina.RODRIGO DE PAULOne of the established members of the team, the defensive midfielder spent four years at Atletico Madrid between 2021-25. Moving from Italian club Udinese, De Paul quickly established himself as one of the most reliable midfielders in Argentine great Diego Simeone’s team and gave Spain and Europe’s elite a torrid time. He is now at Inter Miami.GIOVANNI LO CELSODespite spending part of his career playing in England, Lo Celso’s charm in Spain cannot be ignored. First moving to Real Betis on loan from PSG, the midfielder also played for Villarreal and is now back with Manuel Pellegrini’s side who finished fifth and qualified for the Champions League this season.NAHUEL MOLINAMolina is one of Argentina’s most reliable defenders. Molina moves to Atletico from Udinese. Under Simeone, Molina has become a key part of Atleti’s defensive power. He scored his first goal for Argentina in the QFs of the 2022 World Cup against the Netherlands.JULIAN ALVAREZAfter his move to Atletico Madrid in 2024 from Manchester City, Argentina’s shining light of the new age won many games for Simeone’s team. His ability to break down tough defenses is something that has helped him become a mainstay for Atletico, who are fighting tooth and nail to keep the player in their squad as Barcelona do everything for him.JULIAN SIMEONGiuliano, the son of Atletico Madrid coach Diego, is another crucial member of the club who played an important role for Argentina against England. The attacking midfielder on the right combines the pride and talent that is common to Atlético and Argentina.GONZALO MONTIELThe defender, who took the winning penalty in Argentina’s World Cup in 2022, spent four years in Sevilla, and with whom he won the Europa League 2023, beating Roma in the final. In the semi-final against England, he came on in the 71st minute and played an important role in Argentina making the final.Other players with La Liga links: Reserve goalkeepers Geronimo Rulli (Sociedad and Villarreal), Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid), Nico Paz (Castilla and Real Madrid), midfielders Thiago Almeda and Nico Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid) have been integral parts of the Spanish club’s football.