
With more than 800 goals to his name and the 2022 World Cup now etched in his story, Lionel Messi stands alone. Not just as Argentina’s greatest footballer, but as an enduring symbol of creativity, precision, and perseverance in the modern game. The boy from Rosario became a maestro on the world’s biggest stages. His genius, long celebrated at Barcelona, eventually bloomed just as brightly in the blue and white of La Albiceleste.
It wasn’t always like this.
Messi’s relationship with the national team was once defined by what he hadn’t won, not what he had. Three Copa America final defeats. A World Cup heartbreak in 2014. Even a brief international retirement in 2016. And yet, he returned. Again and again. Until at last, the trophies came. First, the 2021 Copa America, then the Finalissima, and finally, Qatar.
The goals? They’ve always been there. Thunderbolts, gliding runs, impossible chips, free-kick masterpieces. Messi has found the net in nearly every way imaginable. Below, we revisit thirteen of his most iconic international goals—the moments that lit up tournaments, saved campaigns, and brought generations of Argentines to their feet.
Argentina vs Serbia and Montenegro, June 16, 2006 – World Cup Group Stage
Nineteen years ago today, an 18-year-old Lionel Messi announced himself to the world. He came off the bench, threaded a pass to set up a goal, and then scored one of his own—a calm, close-range finish at the end of a sweeping team move. Argentina’s sixth of the day, and Messi’s very first for the national team.
@mrabonnee Lionel Messi scored his first FIFA World Cup goal during the 2006 World Cup in Germany. This goal came against Serbia and Montenegro in Argentina’s second Group C match. Messi came on as a substitute in the 75th minute #LionelMessi #MessiGoals #MessiMagic #MessiSkills #Messi10 #Argentina #FootballLegend #GOAT #Soccer #Football #Fútbol #WorldCup #Barça #PSG #MessiFans ♬ original sound – messi the goat
Argentina vs USA, 2016 Copa America Semifinals
With Brad Guzan rooted and helpless, Messi arced a 25-yard free kick into the top corner. It was his 55th international goal, breaking Gabriel Batistuta’s record. The technique was flawless. The moment was historic.
Argentina vs. Colombia, 2016 World Cup Qualifier
In a World Cup qualifier against Colombia, Messi delivered yet another superb free-kick that left goalie David Ospina diving for nothing but air.
Argentina vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina, World Cup 2014
How many times is Messi going to take at the start of the opponent’s halfway line and run it all the way to goal? In a group stage game in the World Cup 2014 against Bosnia-Herzegovina, he does just that. After Messi starts up the field with the ball, he sends it off to a teammate for a quick give-and-go before he gets it back to juke four players before netting the goal.
Argentina vs. Iran, World Cup 2014
In one of his clutch performances for the national side, Messi bangs home a winner against Iran in stoppage time in the group stages of the World Cup in Brazil. Magic.
Argentina vs. Ecuador, 2017 World Cup Qualifier
A hat-trick against Ecuador in the 2017 World Cup Qualifiers guaranteed Argentina’s spot in the 2018 World Cup. Messi’s third goal was exquisite — with a quick juke and dash at three players, he chips over the goalie’s head and into the back of the net.
Argentina vs. Mexico, 2007 Copa America
With assured confidence, Messi chips in a majestic goal over Mexico’s keeper to put his team ahead two-nil in the semifinals of the 2007 Copa America.
Argentina vs. Nigeria, 2018 World Cup
Argentina advanced to the Round of 16 in World Cup 2018 with one of the most remarkable goals from Lionel Messi. After receiving a 50-yard pass from a teammate, he adroitly traps and takes a nifty touch to advance the ball ahead of him before he nails it into the back of the net. Watch.
Argentina vs. Brazil, 2010 Friendly
If Lionel Messi lives by an adage, it’s that he refuses to go down. In a friendly match against Brazil, he’s clearly tripped up but keeps on pushing up the field to bag the game-winner in injury time.
Argentina vs. Brazil, 2012 Friendly
Don’t ever tell Messi it was just a friendly. In a match against Brazil, he takes the ball at the opponent’s halfway line, dashes all the way down the field, and smashes home the game-winner for Argentina.
Argentina vs. Mexico, 2015 Friendly
In 2015 friendly match against Mexico, Messi sends in another wonder goal. This time, he chest-traps a run-on pass from teammate Sergio Aguero before volleying the ball through the keeper’s legs and into the back of the net.