El Diez has been a fixture of the Argentina national team for more than 17 years, leading the way with the most appearances, the most goals, and three well earned titles.
Lionel Messi has worn the Albiceleste shirt for the national team for upwards of 17 years. After years of struggle and perseverance, he finally tasted glory: lifting a Copa America in 2021, then capturing the World Cup in Qatar 2022, the crown he had long chased and which completed his remarkable career trophy by trophy.
Following that World Cup triumph, the Rosario-born star signaled a continued push for more, even suggesting during the buildup that his latest World Cup would be his last. The victory opened the door to a possible Last Dance in 2026, should he choose to pursue one more chapter on the world stage.
For now, attention has shifted to the start of qualification campaigns and the Copa America 2024, as he enjoys a remarkable rapport with fans who have elevated him to the pantheon alongside Diego Armando Maradona on the national stage.
To understand such devotion, one only has to look at Messi’s numbers. He is the all time most capped and the leading scorer in Argentina’s national team history.
Goal.com brings together the essential statistics of Messi with the national team.
MATCHES PLAYED
From his debut against Hungary on August 17, 2005, to the friendly versus Panama, the first after the 2022 World Cup final, Messi has played 173 matches for Argentina. A notable moment in the record book is the match against Bolivia on June 28, 2021, which secured his place ahead of Javier Mascherano in the all time list. His career includes five World Cups, a national record for Argentina, and six Copa Americas.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Messi reached 26 World Cup appearances, surpassing Lothar Matthäus to become the player with the most appearances in the tournament’s history. With the 3-0 win over Jamaica on September 27, 2022, he also became the first Argentine to reach 100 wins with the national team.
GOALS
Between friendlies, qualifiers, World Cups and Copa Américas, El Diez has scored 99 goals for his country. He remains the all time top scorer for Argentina, surpassing Gabriel Batistuta, and has also overtaken Pelé to become the leading scorer in the history of a South American men’s team. His first goal came in a March 1, 2006 friendly against Croatia, a 3-2 defeat in Switzerland, and his latest strikes came during the World Cup final, where he found the net twice in regular time against France.
ASSISTANCE
Messi has delivered 53 assists for the national team. His most recent helper was to Julián Álvarez after a clever setup against Croatia in the 2022 Qatar semifinal. Gonzalo Higuaín and Sergio Agüero are among his frequent targets, each receiving nine assists over the years.
TITLES
Messi had already claimed the Under-20 World Cup title in 2005 and an Olympic gold medal with the Under-23s in 2004, but his senior breakthrough came when Argentina won Copa América in 2021 after several near misses in the final. A few months later, in June 2022, he added another major prize by lifting the Finalissima, a clash arranged between the champions of Europe and South America, with Argentina prevailing 3-0 over Italy.
On December 18, 2022, after a dramatic 3-3 draw and a 4-2 victory on penalties, Argentina captured the World Cup in a moment that etched him into football history.
Notes: This overview captures a historical snapshot of Messi’s national team career and the milestones that shaped a generation of Argentine football.