World Cup kicks off vs Algeria 

Lionel Messi in line for 200th Argentina cap - which nations has he scored most goals against?

©TM/IMAGO

The great Lionel Messi will converge on the world stage for one last time this summer. In 2021, the legendary attacker had won everything in the club game, but had never been victorious with his nation, Argentina. He was 33 years old at this time. Fast forward five years, and Messi has led the South American nation to two Copa América victories (2021 & 2024), as well as, most famously, the 2022 World Cup. Messi scored seven and assisted three goals as Argentina lifted the famous trophy for the first time since the legendary Diego Maradona had his hands on it in 1986.

Messi won the Golden Ball and shone throughout what many expected to be his last World Cup. Thankfully for football purists, we will get to see the 38 year old have one last swan song this summer. Argentina kick of their 2026 campaign against Algeria in the early hours of Wednesday morning GMT. Captain Messi is expected to start and it will be his 200th international cap. But down the years, which nations has Messi scored the most goals against for his country? Let’s find out.

Which nations has Lionel Messi scored against most?

Leading the way is Bolivia – Messi has scored against them as many as 11 times in 12 matches. In second and third are two more South American nations in Ecuador and Venezuela respectively, with the great Argentine managing seven goals against both, but in less matches against the former. Argentina’s neighbours Uruguay are fourth, with Messi having scored six in 13. Estonia – the first European nation – are fifth; Messi has played them just once, but scored five goals in that match in 2022. Messi has scored five in two matches against Central American side Guatemala and they take sixth.

Chile (5 goals in 13 matches), arch-rivals Brazil (5 goals in 14 matches), Paraguay (5 goals in 14 matches) and Panama (4 goals in 2 matches) complete the top 10. Other noticeable nations in the top 20 include France, who are 14th, with Messi having scored three in three and Croatia, who Messi has scored three in four against. Based on the current FIFA rankings, seven of Messi’s top 20 favourite opponents are in the top nations in the world, and just two are in the top 10.

Note:
When you search for something on Google, you’ll see a box with the latest news alongside the usual results. If you set Transfermarkt as your preferred source, our content will appear there more often.

Add Transfermarkt as your preferred source here.