Another Mundo’s Noughties Review - The Best Achiever’s of the Decade

Next up is another Mundo’s review from Noughties Years. This time I want to focus on the best achievements from the Albiceleste during those 10 years.

Before that here is something that I would like to share with everyone. I remember reading an article on World Soccer (somewhere around 1999-2000) which simple titled “Argentina is the future for the new decade”.

The article mentioned about that Argentina would win a World Cup in the new future based on the presents of Juan Sebastian VERON, Hernan CRESPO, Claudio LOPEZ and Ariel ORTEGA (who were all already established stars). They would also looked at some of the upcoming names such as Javier SAVIOLA, Pablo AIMAR and Roman RIQUELME. Well, you be the judge on how accurate that writer was.

Perhaps Argentina was the future in that decade but not just in football. The success they had in other sports had in some ways paved the way for so many possibilities. The impact was huge and the popularity of those sports accelerated to new level.

In the end it was decade of excellences for the Albiceleste. Now here is my pick on the 20 best achievers over the last decade, not in any particular order.

National Youth Team

The most consistent national football side. The Under-20 side will go on to owned the FIFA World Youth Cup after winning it on three different occasions (2001, 2005 & 2007). They would go on to produce many future superstars of the National Team.

Las Leonas

The best team of the decade. 1 World Cup, 2 Champions Trophy & 3 consecutive Olympic medals; during which they became a national sensation, with some of the players even appearing as models in advertising campaigns.

Martin GRAMATICA

A winner of Super Bowl XXXVII with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the only Argentine ever to do so in the NFL. He was named as a NFC Pro Bowl member in 2001.

Manu GINOBILI

Apart from the National Team, he has won numerous titles for both team and individual in Italy (league and MVP), Europe (Euroleague and MVP) and the NBA (3 Championship ring, 6th Man title). One of the premier shooting guard of the decade.

Gaston GAUDIO

Who can forget to epic All-Argentine final in Rolland Garros 2004? El Gato ended Argentina’s wait for a Grand Slam title since 1979 after coming back from two sets down to defeat Guillermo CORIA. Also a winner of 7 other ATP titles.

Olympic Football Team

The Under-23 side ended Argentina’s 52 years wait for an Olympic gold medal at the Athens game in 2004, subsequently defending it four years later in Beijing. But the real reason we love them because they achieved something that Brazil hasn’t for all these years.

Tall Albiceleste

The Golden Generation of Argentine basketball finally came together at the Athens games in 2004. After being a denied the World crown 2 years earlier, they made it sweeter this time by knocking out team USA in the semis and beating Italy in the final giving Argentina another gold medal in the 2004 Athens Game.

David NALBANDIAN

The face of Argentine tennis during the last decade. A winner of 10 ATP titles & 2 times Davis Cup runners up. Despite not having won any Grand Slams, he is one of only four active players to have achieved the semi-finals or better at all four events.

Blind Futsal Team

Vamos Los Murcielagos!!! They were Mundo’s best of the best in 2006 after winning the IBSA World Five a Side Football Championships, plus they have always been a consistent medal winner at the Summer Paralympics Games.

Angel CABRERA

A winner of the US Open (2007) and the Augusta Master (2009) plus numerous titles in the PGA circuit. The best golfer from Latin America in my opinion.

Los Pumas

Throughout the decade Los Pumas we’re going from strength to strength in the IRB World Rankings; the pinnacle being their fourth place finish at the 2007 Rugby World Cup. A massive achievement by any means for a non First Tier rugby nation.

Boca Juniors

Los Xeneizes were the best football club of the decade. Why not? Just look at the stats; 4 Copa Libertadores, 3 Recopa Sudamericana, 2 Inter Continental plus 5 league titles (4 Apertura & 1 Clausura).

Juan Roman RIQUELME

Well we can’t just ignore him, right. After all he did achieved everything with Boca and won a gold medal for us in 2008. Plus 3 times Player of the Year for Argentina and 1 South American Footballer of the Year.

Carlos BIANCHI

He was the main architect behind most of Boca’s success during the last decade. Was named as South American Coach of the Year on three occasions (2000, 01 & 03)

Juan Martin DEL POTRO

The newest sensation of Argentine tennis. In just a short spam from 2008-09, he was already won a total of 7 ATP titles including last year’s US Open. Look out for him in the new decade.

Luciana AYMAR

The best female field hockey player over the last decade. She’s won 6 FIH Player of the Year award and 3 Champions Trophy player of the tournament to go alongside with the titles she won with the National team.

Carlos TEVEZ

Whether it was Argentina, Brazil, England, South America or Europe; the honours just kept coming wherever he goes. Not to forget for three consecutive years, he was named as South American Player of the Year (from 2003-05) plus numerous other individual honours.

Lionel MESSI

The currrent sensation of Albiceleste football. Perhaps I should just keep short here but if you need to know just click here.

Hernan CRESPO

From Lazio to Chelsea to Milan to Inter, he was the most prolific goals corer for an Argentine player in Europe. Not to forget, the leading scorer for the National team over the last decade.

Javier ZANETTI

For sentimental reason, I feel there is a deeper meaning on El Pupi achievement’s during the last decade. After years trying, the Noughties era rewarded him with 4 Scudettos, 2 Coppa Italia and 3 Italian Super Cup. On top of that, he is the most capped player for our National Team.

I’m sure there are many other names that I may omitted from this list. Please feel free to mentioned them in the comment box. Next up, the starting eleven of the decade.