Mario Alberto Santana (born 23 December 1981) is an Argentine football coach and former professional player, in the role of winger.

After his contract with San Lorenzo expired,[citation needed] he decided to try his luck in European football, moving to Italy in January 2002 for Serie A team Venezia, then relegated at the end of the season.

In 2003, he was then loaned to Serie A side A.C. ChievoVerona (along with Stefano Morrone with Eugenio Corini moved to opposite direction), becoming one of the most interesting wingers in the Italian top division, and being first capped for the Argentina national football team in a friendly match against Japan on 18 August 2004.

[3] In April 2010, Santana was injured and expected to be out for 5 months after clash with opponent goalkeeper in a club friendly against San Miniato Basso.

[5] In the January 2014 transfer window, he left Italy after 12 years competing in Serie A, signing a loan deal with Olhanense in Portugal.

[8] In August 2019, he became the first signing of the refounded Palermo, who will restart from Serie D, thus marking his return with the Rosanero after thirteen years.

[15] On 18 June 2021, Palermo announced Santana's retirement from active football, and his subsequent appointment as a youth team coach.

Santana acquired his Italian nationality through marriage to his first wife, Italian-Argentinian volleyball player Antonella Moltrasio.