The forward finally lifted silverware with Argentina this summer as they saw off arch-rivals Brazil – but what is his overall record against them?
Lionel Messi won everything under the sun at Barcelona before embarking on a new challenge at Paris Saint-Germain, with his move to France coming on the back of his first major international trophy with Argentina at the Copa America.
The 34-year-old inspired his country’s run to glory at Copa America in summer 2021, recording four goals and five assists in seven appearances at the tournament.
Messi had waited 16 long years for his maiden senior international title, but an Angel Di Maria goal gave Argentina a 1-0 final victory over old enemies Brazil in Rio de Janeiro.
The two nations are perennial rivals, and Goal has rounded up Messi’s form and record against the Selecao.
In comparison to most opponents Messi plays against, he has a less-than-stellar record against Brazil, facing them 12 times in his career in all competitions at international level.
He missed out on the chance to improve his record against the Selecao in September 2021 when Argentina saw their clash with Brazil suspended, though, as health authorities objected to the participation of four Albiceleste players for allegedly breaching quarantine rules.
His first encounter with the Brazilians arrived at the Emirates Stadium in London in 2006 in a friendly, when the Selecao won 3-0.
After that was the 2007 Copa America final, when Brazil once again ran away 3-0 winners.
He had to face them again in the 2010 World Cup qualifying matches when he failed to score in a 0-0 draw in June 2008, and was once again on the losing side in a 3-1 defeat in Rosario in September 2009.
In 2010, Messi was able to register a win against Brazil in his fifth attempt, scoring against them in a friendly in Doha.
The next meeting between the pair was when Messi’s Argentina truly dominated the Brazil side in June 2012, winning 4-3, with the Barcelona star netting a hat-trick.
They also managed to defeat Brazil 2-0 in a friendly in China in 2014, but lost 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier when Messi hardly contributed