The international career of
Messi’s journey with the national team began on August 17, 2005, in a match against Hungary that lasted less than a minute for the teenager before he was sent off. From that turbulent start, he went on to redefine the standards of international performance, culminating in a career that saw him represent his country in 207 matches, a national record.
A Legacy of Records and Major Honors
The statistical footprint left by the Argentine captain is immense. Throughout his 207 international appearances, Messi recorded 125 goals and 60 assists, totaling 185 goal involvements. His scoring prowess saw him comfortably surpass the previous national record of 54 goals held by Gabriel Batistuta. Of his 125 goals, 111 were scored with his left foot, supplemented by 12 right-footed strikes, two headers, and one goal scored with his torso.
His trophy cabinet with Argentina includes three major international titles: the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the 2024 Copa América. His participation in six World Cups—2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026—ties him for the most appearances in the tournament's history. Across these six editions, he set several benchmarks, including 34 total World Cup appearances and 23 match victories, both of which stand as records in men's football.
Dominance on the World Stage
Messi’s impact on the World Cup was profound, as he finished his career with 21 goals in the tournament, placing him just behind Kylian Mbappé’s tally of 22. He also holds the record for the most World Cup assists with 12 and the most goals scored from outside the penalty area with six. Furthermore, he became the first player to start in three World Cup finals, appearing in the 2014, 2022, and 2026 title matches.
His longevity was highlighted by his final World Cup appearance in 2026, where he played in the final at the age of 39 years and 25 days, becoming the oldest outfield player to feature in such a match. His ability to perform under pressure was also evident in his penalty record, where he scored a tournament-high seven World Cup penalties, despite also missing three. As he steps away from the international game, Messi leaves behind a total of 11 international hat-tricks, with his final treble occurring during Argentina’s opening match of the 2026 World Cup.
