Lionel Messi does not stop achieving records with the Argentina National Team, in addition to everything he contributes to the achievements that the Albiceleste has achieved since he made his debut against Hungary on August 17, 2005.
The new one was achieved by the Inter Miami star against Ecuador in the friendly match that Argentina won 1-0 in front of 85,000 spectators at the Soldier Field stadium (Chicago) in the 56th minute of the match, when Lionel Scaloni put him on in place of Angel Di Maria.
With this appearance, Messi's first with the Albiceleste in 2024, he played his 181st match for a World Cup-winning country, leaving behind Sergio Ramos, who has made 180 appearances with Spain. It is a record which will continue to be extended at the Copa America, that Cristiano Ronaldo could never match due to the obvious fact that he has not yet won a World Cup with the Portugal national team.
World champions who played the most games for their national teams
181 partidos: Lionel Messi (Argentina - 2005-2024)
180 appearances: Sergio Ramos (Spain- 2005-2021)
176 appearances: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy - 1997-2018)
167 appearances: Iker Casillas (Spain - 2000-2016)
150 appearances: Lothar Matthaus (Germany - 1980-2000)
145 appearances: Hugo Lloris (France - 2008-2022)
143 appearances: Sergio Busquets (Spain - 2009-2022)
142 appearances: Caf� (Brazil - 1990-2006)
142 appearances: Lilian Thuram (France - 1994-2008)
139 appearances: �ngel Di Mar�a (Argentina - 2008-2024)
The anecdotal and curious fact is that Messi also managed to add another record in the match he played against Ecuador in the Conmebol qualifiers by scoring the only goal in the Albiceleste's 1-0 victory.
That night on September 8, 2023, he scored the only goal in Estadio Monumental (Buenos Aires) from a free kick and equaled Luis Suarez, who had 29 goals for Uruguay, as the top scorer in that competition. Messi then took his place as top scorer with a brace against Peru at Estadio Nacional (Lima) on October 18.