Many famous Argentinians have graced the world stage. Want to get to know a few of them? Read our guide for more facts & information…
Actors/Actresses
Jennifer Gimenez – Gimenez has done both modeling and acting. She has appeared in Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, Blow, Vanilla Sky, and in music videos. Her modeling career kicked off at an early age, but unfortunately her drug addiction too. She struggled with substance abuse before she eventually checked into rehab, and appeared on Dr. Drew’s reality TV show, “Sober House”.
Olivia Hussey – She has starred in films and T.V shows including ‘Romeo and Juliet’, and the T.V adaptation of Stephen Kings ‘It’. Hussey was married three times, her third was to David Glen Eisley, an actor.
Other notable Argentine actors and actresses are Fabiana Udenio, Luisana Lopilato, Lola Ponce, Julietta Cardineli and more.
Sports
The Argentine National Soccer team has had success on both the continental and international stage, with 14 Copa Americas and 2 World Cups. Argentinian soccer has many legends with international recognition. You can find many Argentine players on the top clubs of the European leagues.
Diego Maradona is a famous Argentine soccer legend, and is seen by many as one of the greatest soccer legends ever. His dribbling skills and goal scoring abilities amazed soccer fans throughout his career. He captained Argentina to a 1986 World Cup win. His second goal against England in the Quarterfinal was voted “Goal of the Century” (although his first goal in that match was controversial.) Maradona has been controversial both on and off the pitch. He struggled with substance abuse after his soccer career, which he eventually recovered from in 2006. Maradona’s political views are leftist, and he’s supportive of Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro.
Lionel Messi – Messi has been referred to as the “New Maradona.” He has won FIFA World Player of the Year/Balon D’Or twice in 2009 and 2010. He has scored 16 goals for Argentina and 179 for his club, Barcelona FC (as of May, 2011). He is notable for his swift dribbling skills and ability to get past defenders. Messi’s skills on the pitch were integral to Barcelona’s Spanish League and Champions League victories.
Other famous Argentine soccer players include, Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano, Gonzalo Higuain, Diego Milito, Javier Zanetti and more.
Manu Ginobili is a famous Argentine NBA basketball player currently a shooting guard for San Antonio Spurs. He won a gold medal at the summer Olympics in 2004, and in 2008 he was given the NBA Sixth Man Award.
Other notable Argentine basketball players are Luis Scola, and Carlos Delfino.
Che Guevara
It’s no surprise that Che Guevara was named in Time Magazine’s list of 100 Most Influential People of the Century. A revolutionary figured inspired by Marxism, he has inspired and influenced many others around the world, and his legacy still lives on. Nelson Mandela once said this about Che :
“An inspiration for every human being who loves freedom.”
Che is a symbol of revolution, he played an important role in the Cuban Revolution with Fidel Castro, and subsequently served in Castro’s cabinet . His views were sympathetic to the poor and oppressed, he was an anti-imperialist. He spoke out against racial apartheid in South Africa. Che didn’t just talk the talk, he walked the walk, and In 1965 he headed on to Congo to help the rebels. He also unsuccessfully attempted to start a revolution in Bolivia, which eventually lead to his capture and execution.
Many Socialist leaders like, Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez; and Bolivian President, Evo Moralez; have expressed their respect for Che and his ideas.
