Who are the 10 best polo players in the world currently?

Who are the 10 best polo players in the world currently?

Lenah Ann
June 6, 2024 at 11:52 AM

Polo is one of the world's oldest sports, played on horseback between two opposing teams. Although it was initially considered a sport for rich people, it has grown to accommodate everyone with talent. Over the years, like any other sport, it has produced some of the best players famous for making history. So, who are the best polo players in the world currently?

From L-R, Adolfo Cambiaso Jr, Facundo Pieres and Pablo Pieres
From L-R, Adolfo Cambiaso Jr on 13 October 2014, Facundo Pieres on 26 February 2023 and Pablo Pieres on 11 December 2021. Photo: Gabriel Rossi, Joel Auerbach, Marcelo Endelli. (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Table of Сontents:

The renowned horseback sport dates from the 6th century BC to the 1st century AD. Originally played by the Turkic people and nomadic Iranians, it has gained popularity over the years. It is now played worldwide, with over 100 countries participating under the Federation of International Polo.

Top 10 best polo players in the world in 2024

After an in-depth analysis of various online sources, such as the World Polo Tour and Statista, Sports Brief has compiled a list ranking the current top 10 best polo players in the world based on quantifiable criteria, player statistics, and other relevant metrics.

Rank

Name

Nationality

Points

10

Pieres Pablo

American

718

9

Elizalde Francisco

Argentine

729

8

Britos Juan Jr

Argentine

736

7

Panelo Tomas

Argentine

823

6

Ulloa Hilario

Argentine

859

5

Castagnola Camilo

Argentine

909

4

Castagnola Bartolome Jr

Argentine

912

3

Pieres Facundo

Argentine

1033

2

Cambiaso Adolfo

Argentine

1045

1

Cambiaso Adolfo Jr

Argentine

1301

10. Pablo Pieres

Pablo 'Polito' Pieres rides during a match
Pablo 'Polito' Pieres of Coca-Cola rides against Tamara during the USPA Gold Cup on 10 March 2024 at the National Polo Center in Wellington, Florida. Photo: Joel Auerbach
Source: Getty Images
  • Age: 37 (as of June 2024)
  • Status: Professional
  • Handicap: 9 (AR), 9 (GB), 10 (US)
  • Points: 718

Polo Hub ranks Pablo Pieres as one of the best polo players in the world. He started training on horseback when he was four under the guidance of his father, Paul. Throughout his career, he has played in various countries and spent the money he earned on horses.

9. Francisco Elizalde

Francisco Elizalde of Las Monjitas celebrates after scoring
Francisco Elizalde of Las Monjitas celebrates after scoring a goal against La Indiana during the CV Whitney Cup final on 23 February 2020. Photo: Joel Auerbach
Source: Getty Images
  • Age: 30-40 (as of 2024)
  • Status: Professional
  • Handicap: 9 (AR)
  • Points: 729

Among the famous polo players is Francisco Elizalde, who has amassed 729 points this season. He began competing at a young age and has competed worldwide in high-goal polo tournaments.

Elizalde had a strong season in 2018 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. Then, rated at 8 goals, he helped lead Las Montijas to the final match of the United States of America.

8. Juan Britos Jr

Juan Britos of Park Place in action
Juan Britos of Park Place plays the ball upfield against MAG during the US Open Polo Championship Semifinal on 19 April 2023. Photo: Joel Auerbach
Source: Getty Images
  • Age: 30-32 (as of 2024)
  • Status: Professional
  • Handicap: 9 (AR), 9 (US)
  • Points: 736

Juan Britos Jr is one of the top polo players in the world, both in the intranational and home arenas. He is consistently rated in the upper echelons of players worldwide, with stats showing him as an 8-goaler in the United States and a 9-goaler in Argentina.

He is not your usual athlete, as he did not grow up in a household that played the game back in Argentina. Britos began playing the sport at 13, a late age for many elite athletes. But he gave it a try, liked it, got good at it, and is still a great player in the game of kings.

7. Tomas Panelo

Tomas Panelo in action during a match
Tomas Panelo brings the ball upfield against Valiente during the USPA Gold Cup Final on 24 March 2024 at the National Polo Center in Wellington, Florida. Photo: Joel Auerbach
Source: Getty Images
  • Age: 24 (as of June 2024)
  • Status: Professional
  • Handicap: 9 (AR), 7 (US)
  • Points: 823

In recent years, Tomas Panelo has posted some of the most incredible results in the horse sport. Due to his performance at the US Open, he is likely to win the MVP of the season, as he received a raise to 10 goals. He is the first member of the Panelo family to achieve this feat.

6. Hilario Ulloa

Hilario Ulloa rides before a match
Hilario Ulloa rides before the match against Shack Attack II at the USPA Gold Cup on 5 March 2023. Photo: Joel Auerbach
Source: Getty Images
  • Age: 38 (as of June 2024)
  • Status: Professional
  • Handicap: 9 (AR), 10 (GB), 10 (US)
  • Points: 859

Hilario Ulloa is among the highest-ranked polo players in the world as of 2024. He achieved his 10-goal handicap status in 2017 and is still a force to reckon with, competing in the global arena in England, the United States, and Argentina.

Ulloa finished eighth among all players in 2019 and guided Park Place into their semi-final matchup with Coca-Cola, averaging 4.7 goals per contest.

5. Camilo Castagnola

Camilo Castagnola after victory
Camilo Castagnola after victory in the King Power Gold Cup British Open Polo Championship Semi-Final on 17 July 2019. Photo: Alan Crowhurst
Source: Getty Images
  • Age: 21 (as of June 2024)
  • Status: Professional
  • Handicap: 10 (AR), 9 (GB), 9 (US)
  • Points: 909

Camilo Castagnola is among the youngest and highest-ranked polo players in 2024. He became the youngest 10-goal handicapper in the sport's history, surpassing records held by Facundo Pieres and Adolfo Cambiaso.

4. Bartolome Castagnola Jr

Bartolome Castagnola Jr celebrates after scoring his team's last goal
Bartolome Castagnola Jr celebrates after scoring his team's last goal during a 128º Hurlingham Polo Open semi-final match on 31 October 2021. Photo: Daniel Jayo
Source: Getty Images
  • Age: 22-23 (as of 2024)
  • Status: Professional
  • Handicap: 10 (AR), 9 (GB), 9 (US)
  • Points: 912

The renowned star, Bartolome Castagnola Jr, is the eldest of the Castagnola brothers. At just 20 years old in 2021, he had already reached 10 goal handicaps. He played an important role in the championship game, and in the end, he bagged the MVP Gonzalo Heguy Award.

3. Facundo Pieres

Facundo Pieres looks on before a polo match
Facundo Pieres looks on before a polo final match on 13 October 2014. Photo: Gabriel Rossi
Source: Getty Images
  • Age: 38 (as of June 2024)
  • Status: Professional
  • Handicap: 10 (AR), 10 (GB), 10 (US)
  • Points: 1033

Facundo Pieres is a veteran athlete, ranked among the best polo players of all time. In 2022, he topped La Polo's list of best polo players in the world, and even though he fell to number 2 in 2023, he showed resilience and determination in the sport.

With the Spanish team Ayala, the renowned legend won the Torneo Internacional de Polo Sotogrande in 2017 and 2018, the most prestigious World Polo Tour competition.

2. Adolfo Cambiaso

Adolfo Cambiaso prepares for the match
Adolfo Cambiaso prepares for the match against La Dolfina during the USPA Gold Cup Final on 24 March 2024. Photo: Joel Auerbach
Source: Getty Images
  • Age: 49 (as of June 2024)
  • Status: Professional
  • Handicap: 10 (AR), 10 (GB), 10 (US)
  • Points: 1045

Adolfo Cambiaso is famous across social media platforms not only as an internet personality but also as one of the best polo players in the world. He is a nine-time US Open champion, eight-time British Open winner, and five-time Sotogrande Gold Cup winner.

According to Laureus, the famed Polo star broke Bautista Heguy's record of 531 goals with 535 goals at the Argentine Open alone. Since the team's Copa Quilmes victory in 2002, he has represented Argentina nationally. He sells and breeds horses for the renowned sport.

1. Adolfo Cambiaso Jr

Adolfo Cambiaso Jr looks on before a polo match
Adolfo Cambiaso Jr looks on before a polo final match between La Dolfina and Ellerstina as part of the Tortugas Polo Open at Tortugas Country Club on 13 October 2014. Photo: Gabriel Rossi
Source: Getty Images
  • Age: 18 (as of June 2024)
  • Status: Professional
  • Handicap: 10 (AG)
  • Points: 1301

As per the 2024 rankings, Adolfo Cambiaso Jr is the number one polo player in the world. Like his father, he has made history in the sport, stepping into the limelight with 1301 points. With his father, they were the first father-son duo to play in the Triple Crown this century.

He has won one British Open, one Argentine Open, and two Hurlingham Opens and has competed in the US Open, Prince of Wales Trophy, USPA Gold Cup, and CV Whitney Cup Final.

Frequently asked questions

Polo involves two opposing teams competing and aiming to score by hitting a ball through the other team's goal. The game typically lasts between one and two hours, broken up into intervals known as chukkas or chukkers. Here are some frequently asked questions about the sport.

How many 10-goal polo players are there in the world?

Only fourteen players in the world are ranked 10. About 96% of players in the United States have a handicap of +2 or less, while only one athlete has a 10.

Who is the best polo player in history?

Adolfo Cambiaso is the world's most outstanding polo player. He hails from Argentina and has a handicap rating of ten goals. Polo is the ultimate spectator sport in the equestrian world, sometimes called "the sport of kings."

How many professional polo players are there?

The Polo community is extremely close-knit. Most enthusiasts estimate that there are about a thousand professionals in the circuit.

What is the average salary range for professional polo players?

As per Talent, the average pay in Polo is $17.68 per hour or $36,769 per year. The starting salary for entry-level positions is $29,894, while the yearly average wage for experienced workers is $77,550.

Which countries play polo the most?

Polo is a global sport, with over 50 countries participating. The significant nations participating in the renowned sport are Argentina, the United States, and the United Kingdom, each with a booming polo scene and industry.

Final word

Most of the best polo players in the world in 2024 are lesser known because they are up-and-coming stars making their way into the sport's history. Despite their young age, their determination and hard work show their resilience and passion for the sport.

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Authors
Lenah Ann photo
Lenah Ann
Lenah Ann is a Kenyan-based content creator with 2 years of experience. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Media and Communication from Dedan Kimathi, Kenya in 2021.