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Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the two most successful footballers of this generation. At present, however, it is the 36-year-old Portugal international who has the edge in national team colors.
Ronaldo became the all-time international top scorer of men’s football with his brace against Ireland in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers. The double took his tally to 111, which is two more than previous record-holder Ali Daei’s (Iran) magic figure of 109.
His “arch-nemesis” Lionel Messi, on the other hand, is the joint-eighth highest scorer with 76 goals and still needs two more to surpass the great Pele (77). Despite trailing Ronaldo by 35 goals, Messi has been no less menacing on the international scene. The Paris Saint-Germain man won the Copa America 2021 in the summer and is determined to improve his goal tally in the upcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Over the course of his international career, Messi has scored against many teams, but some have been a little too 'welcoming.' Messi has picked up 26 goals from these five countries alone, which contributes to over 34% of his total goals.
5 countries Lionel Messi loves to score against for Argentina
#5 Paraguay - 5 goals
Paraguay went to Argentina for their 2014 World Cup Qualifiers in September 2013. The hosts were thoroughly the better team and convincingly came out on top on the night. Lionel Messi scored the third goal for Argentina, helping them to a comfortable 3-1 win. In the return leg, Paraguay scored a couple of goals against the favorites, but Lionel Messi’s brace nipped their hopes of a comeback in the bud.
In the 2015 and 2019 Copa America, Paraguay managed to keep Argentina from getting three points. And had it not been for Lionel Messi, who scored a goal each on two occasions, the underdogs would have walked with maximum points.
#4 Brazil - 5 goals
Brazil and Argentina arguably have the most decorated rivalry in football history. The two South American countries have produced plenty of gems over the years, rewarding us with unforgettable memories.
Being arguably the best player in the world, Messi has also been eager to do his best against Brazil. Unfortunately, the Argentine is yet to score in an official tournament against the Selecao.
All of Lionel Messi’s five goals have come in friendlies. His first goal against Brazil was in November 2010 in Qatar, which helped his side to a 1-0 win. He then scored a hat-trick against Neymar’s side on June 9th, 2012, in the United States, leading Argentina to a 4-3 triumph. He finally netted his fifth in the 2019 Superclasico de las Americas, helping Argentina to a 1-0 victory.
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#3 Chile - 5 goals
Before finally lifting the Copa America in 2021, Lionel Messi made it to the final of the prestigious cup competition twice - in 2015 and 2016. Argentina were pitted against Chile in the summit clash on both occasions, with La Albiceleste coming out second best on penalties for two successive years. Lionel Messi could not do much on both occasions, but he has been quite prolific against the fellow South American nation in World Cup Qualifiers.
Lionel Messi met Chile in the 2014 World Cup Qualifier in October 2011, scoring a goal in a 4-1 win. Messi then opened the scoring in the return leg in October 2012, to lead his country to a 2-1 victory.
Another goal followed in the 2018 World Cup Qualifier on March 23rd 2017. The first of his last two goals came on June 3rd, in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers. And Lionel Messi’s final goal against Chile came in the 1-1 draw at the 2021 Copa America.
#2 Uruguay - 5 goals
Uruguay and Argentina have a long and troubled history. The two Latin American nations have locked horns plenty of times in major tournaments and delivered countless memorable moments. Lionel Messi, in particular, has always cherished these encounters, which is made evident by his goal tally against the Uruguayans.
Messi first scored against Uruguay in the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers back in October 2008. His opener for Argentina helped them to a well-deserved 2-1 win. The two teams met again in the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers back in October 2012. This time, Messi responded with a double, which favored him greatly in the Ballon d’Or standings.
Lionel Messi scored the only goal in the 2018 World Cup Qualifier in September 2016. His last goal against Uruguay came in a friendly fixture in November 2019. The match ended in a 2-2 at the Bloomfield Stadium in Israel.
#1 Ecuador - 6 goals
With six goals conceded so far, Ecuador are without a doubt the most generous team Lionel Messi has faced. Ecuador are also one of the two international teams Messi has scored a competitive hat-trick against, with the other team being Panama. The other four hat-tricks have all come in friendly fixtures.
Messi’s first goal against Ecuador came in a 4-0 win in the 2014 World Cup Qualifier back in June 2012. Four years later, on October 10th 2017, Lionel Messi came back with a vengeance and scored a hat-trick in the 2018 World Cup qualifier. His treble helped Argentina to a 3-1 win.
Messi scored another on October 8th, 2020, in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers, helping his side to a much-needed 1-0 win. The Argentine captain’s final goal against Ecuador came in the Copa America 2021. His strike, which was the third goal of the night, allowed Argentina to bag a convincing 3-0 win.
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