The 46 national teams that have been “victims” of Messi’s goals with Argentina

06.10.26 FT Friendly International

Argentina

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Benin

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Lionel Messi left the international stage with a farewell match against Benin. Having scored, the former Albiceleste captain added a 46th national team to the list of sides against which he has found the net.

Which national team has conceded the most goals?

Bolivia remains the national team against which Messi has scored the most with Argentina: 11 goals in 12 meetings. His last major performance against the Bolivians came in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, when he scored three goals in Argentina’s emphatic 6-1 win in October 2024.

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Behind Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela share second place with seven goals conceded each. Uruguay completes the podium with six goals scored by Messi against them. Brazil, Chile and Paraguay have each conceded five goals to the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Messi likes scoring against Africa

The Argentine forward has scored five goals against Algeria, his favourite victim on the continent, ahead of Egypt, Angola, Cape Verde, Zambia and Benin.

Among the European opponents against whom Léo has been most successful is Estonia. The Inter Miami forward will certainly never forget the five-goal haul he scored against this team in June 2022. The Albiceleste won 5-0.

What is Messi’s best goal for the national team?

The debate over Messi’s best goal for Argentina is never settled, but there are several contenders, including:

* Against Nigeria (2014 World Cup): A magnificent direct free-kick curled with his left foot into the top corner past goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama just before half-time.

* Against Bosnia and Herzegovina (2014 World Cup): A goal after a lightning-fast one-two with Higuain and a fierce slalom finished with a precise shot inches inside the post.

* Against Mexico (2022 World Cup): A powerful long-range shot along the ground at a tense moment to unlock the match in the group stage.

* Against Algeria (2026 World Cup): A splendid curling shot into the top corner, scored at the age of 39 to get his team’s tournament campaign underway.

The national teams against which Messi has scored for Argentina:

1 - Bolivia: 11 goals

2 - Ecuador: 7 goals

3 - Venezuela: 7 goals

4 - Uruguay: 6 goals

5 - Algeria: 5 goals

6 - Brazil: 5 goals

7 - Chile: 5 goals

8 - Estonia: 5 goals

9 - Guatemala: 5 goals

10 - Paraguay: 5 goals

11 - Mexico: 4 goals

12 - Panama: 4 goals

13 - Colombia: 3 goals

14 - Croatia: 3 goals

15 - Curaçao: 3 goals

16 - France: 3 goals

17 - Haiti: 3 goals

18 - Nigeria: 3 goals

19 - Peru: 3 goals

20 - Switzerland: 3 goals

21 - Australia: 2 goals

22 - Austria: 2 goals

23 - Honduras: 2 goals

24 - Hong Kong: 2 goals

25 - Jamaica: 2 goals

26 - Nicaragua: 2 goals

27 - Spain: 2 goals

28 - Albania: 1 goal

29 - Angola: 1 goal

30 - Bosnia and Herzegovina: 1 goal

31 - Canada: 1 goal

32 - Cape Verde: 1 goal

33 - Egypt: 1 goal

34 - Germany: 1 goal

35 - Iceland: 1 goal

36 - Iran: 1 goal

37 - Jordan: 1 goal

38 - Netherlands: 1 goal

39 - Portugal: 1 goal

40 - Saudi Arabia: 1 goal

41 - Russia: 1 goal

42 - Slovenia: 1 goal

43 - United Arab Emirates: 1 goal

44 - United States: 1 goal

45 - Zambia: 1 goal

46 - Benin: 1 goal

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.

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