Lionel Messi International Goals: Is His Tally Underrated?

Over the years, Lionel Messi's international goals have often been overshadowed by his exceptional club career at FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and now, Inter Miami. It's easy to marvel at the multitude of records he's shattered and the accolades he's accrued at the club level, but this has inadvertently led to a lack of recognition for his contributions to Argentine football on the international stage.
Many will remember Diego Maradona, the god of Argentine football, who single-handedly took Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986. Yet, Messi's role in propelling Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title is often not given the same reverential treatment. Despite consistently being the cornerstone of Argentina's attack, and being the nation's all-time leading goal scorer, he has often been the subject of criticism for his performances for his national team.
The comparison between Messi and Maradona has created a narrative that tends to diminish the former's achievements. However, a dissection of Messi's international goals reveals his consistent impact for Argentina. From his debut in 2005, Messi has been instrumental in driving Argentina to success, notching up key goals in critical matches, often single-handedly carrying the team to victories.
Overlooking Messi's contributions to the Argentine national team would be a disservice to his outstanding career. Messi is not only a legend of the game at club level, but also a titan on the international stage. He has etched his name into the history books of Argentine football, and his role in the nation's sporting legacy deserves as much recognition as his club exploits.

An international “Centenario”, not bad?

Lionel Messi, the luminary Argentine forward, has continued to shatter records and make history on the football field. His prolific goal-scoring ability and unparalleled skills have ensured his place in the pantheon of the sport's greatest ever. Another awe-inspiring achievement was added to his illustrious resume when he scored his 100th international goal in a friendly against Curacao on March 28 of this year.
Notching up a "Centenario" of goals for the national team, Messi has yet again demonstrated his proficiency and consistency on the international stage. The breakdown of these 103 goals, scored across different competitions, further paints a picture of the Argentine icon's undiminished ability to find the back of the net, irrespective of the stage or opposition.
In friendly matches, Messi has appeared 54 times, registering an impressive 49 goals. These fixtures, although not as competitive as tournaments, are a testament to Messi's high-performance standards. He uses every opportunity to showcase his prowess and contribute to his team's cause.
In the Copa América, Messi has netted 13 goals over the course of 34 appearances. His performances have been instrumental in Argentina's strong showings in the tournament over the years, including their victory in 2021.
FIFA World Cup qualification matches have seen Messi scoring 28 times in 60 appearances, demonstrating his knack for delivering when it matters the most. In the grandest stage of them all, the FIFA World Cup, Messi has found the net 13 times in 26 matches, an achievement punctuated by Argentina's triumph in 2022.
Although Messi did not manage to score in the one-off CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions match, his overall record remains awe-inspiring. A tally of 103 goals from 175 appearances attests to his scoring acumen and underscores his vital role for Argentina. His "Centenario" of goals is not just a personal milestone but a testament to his enduring greatness and the joy he has brought to millions of football fans around the world.

How good is Messi’s international goal record in reality?

Since Lionel Messi’s debut for the Argentine national team, his football journey has been nothing short of an astounding chronicle. His first goal for Argentina came 17 years ago in a friendly against Croatia. Fast forward to the present day, and Messi's 103 goals in 175 appearances place him third in the all-time international goalscorers list.
The top spot is currently occupied by Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who has reached an incredible milestone of 200 caps and 123 goals, setting a high bar indeed. Second on the list is Iran's Ali Daei, with 109 goals in 148 appearances. While catching Ronaldo might seem like a tall order for Messi, given the disparity in their current tallies, the possibility of surpassing Daei is well within his grasp.
Messi, being just seven goals behind Daei, could conceivably leapfrog him to take the second spot. However, outscoring Ronaldo's impressive tally would be a far more daunting task. The gap of 20 goals, coupled with Ronaldo's continued performances for Portugal and Messi's own advancing age, makes this feat appear less attainable. Nonetheless, it is important to remember that Messi has repeatedly proven his doubters wrong throughout his illustrious career.
Aside from the numbers game, one should bear in mind that these comparisons, while intriguing, do not fully encapsulate Messi's enormous contribution to football. Regardless of whether he becomes the all-time leading international goalscorer, Messi's status as one of the game's greatest ever players is unquestionable.
The forthcoming World Cup in 2026 might well be Messi's swansong on the international stage, and it will be interesting to see how many more goals he can add to his already impressive tally. Regardless of whether he surpasses Daei or even Ronaldo, his indelible mark on the sport is assured, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of footballers.