Lionel Messi continues to set new records daily, showing no signs of slowing down at the age of 36. Despite returning from injury, the Argentine scored twice in yesterday’s World Cup qualifier against Peru, securing a 2-0 victory for his team.
Even after winning the World Cup, Messi remains a relentless force for Argentina, continuously shattering numerous records with each match. Now, he has surpassed a record previously held by a longtime former teammate and friend.
Lionel Messi overtakes Suarez in record books
Messi, with his two goals yesterday, surpassed his former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez to become the top scorer in the history of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers. His two goals, scored yesterday, marked his 30th and 31st goals, respectively. Previously, Suarez held the record for an extended period with 29 goals for Uruguay. Notably, the Uruguayan striker himself had surpassed Messi’s record before the 2022 World Cup.
Messi was a huge doubt for the game against Peru, having been sidelined for Inter Miami for a month. He played in the second half against Paraguay, and there was a bit of uncertainty on whether he would start the match.
Not only did he start the game, but he proved his ability to dominate the ball on the pitch. In just the 32nd minute, Messi netted a fantastic goal during a swift Argentina counter-attack. Merely ten minutes later, he added another sneaky strike, securing a 2-0 victory.
This win marked the World Champions’ fourth consecutive victory in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, extending their impressive streak. With Suarez now appearing to be absent from the Uruguay squad, Messi will have more opportunities to go past his record tally.
How many goals has Lionel Messi scored for Argentina since 2005?
Lionel Messi has come a long way since his debut for the national team in 2005. The little kid from Barcelona has quite confidently established himself as one of the greatest players in his country’s history, if not the greatest.
According to Transfermarkt, in the 178 games since his debut, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored 106 goals for his nation, making him the top scorer by a significant margin. His goal tally secures him the second top scorer spot in the world for an international team, with only his rival Cristiano Ronaldo ahead, boasting 127 goals for Portugal.
Messi’s goals have recently propelled his nation to success, despite early career heartbreaks. He clinched the Copa America in 2021, followed by victories in the Finalissima and the World Cup in the subsequent year.
Argentina’s upcoming games in November necessitate Messi’s return to Inter Miami for a match against Charlotte. After that, he will enjoy some time off due to his club missing the playoffs.
