Lionel Messi has just made history. Yet again. The footballer, who is almost 39, started in the World Cup match against Algeria and reached the milestone of 200 appearances for the Argentina national team – no less.

And as if that weren’t enough, the Argentine captain scored a hat-trick in the 3-0 victory over Algeria, in what was the ‘Albiceleste’s’ World Cup debut.

And as if that were still not enough, thanks to these three goals, Messi drew level with Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history with 16 goals.

All this took place on the evening of 16 June 2026 in Kansas City. A date that will live long in the memory of Argentine fans, who were once again able to enjoy watching their idol.

200 matches of glory

Reaching the milestone of 200 matches for the Argentina national team might give the false impression that the journey was straightforward or simple. And even more so when it happens in a match like this… However, nothing could be further from the truth.

Messi’s journey with the ‘Albiceleste’ was not an easy one. Therefore, to understand the significance of this new milestone, we need to look back at a story that was full of the ups and downs typical of a rollercoaster ride.

The rollercoaster: The pain that forged the legend

The journey began with an unusual script. August 2005. A teenage Messi made his debut in a friendly against Hungary and was sent off just 40 seconds after coming on for striking an opponent. A start straight out of a film.

A year later, at Germany 2006, he played in his first World Cup at just 18 years of age, scoring his first World Cup goal against Serbia and Montenegro. Argentina could already see the potential of a player for the ages.

Four years later, at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, fate presented him with another dramatic chapter: he was managed by none other than Diego Maradona himself. A meeting of legends that fuelled the hopes of an entire nation, but which also brought immense frustration following a crushing elimination at the hands of Germany.

From that point on, the Argentina national team became both his greatest source of pride and, at the same time, his greatest burden. The years of relentless criticism and a string of lost finals followed: the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the 2015 and 2016 Copa América tournaments.

The weight of an entire nation’s expectations fell upon his shoulders, turning enjoyment into sheer pressure. And indeed, the absolute breaking point came in New Jersey in 2016, following a defeat to Chile in the Copa América final.

With his heart broken by yet another defeat, the captain threw in the towel in front of the microphones: “It’s over for me with the national team.” It seemed the most unfair and sad ending for the most important player Argentina had seen in recent years.

But football always offers a second chance. Messi returned because his love for the shirt proved stronger than his frustration. That comeback healed the wounds of the past and opened the doors to an unprecedented golden age, where eternal glory and historic records took centre stage.

The Albiceleste’s Olympus: Titles, records and catharsis

However, before reaching for the stars, there was one final storm to weather. The 2018 World Cup in Russia was a whirlwind of chaos that culminated in elimination in the round of 16 against France.

It seemed as though the tale of frustration would never end, but amidst the sadness of that World Cup disappointment, the seed of the Argentine national team’s most glorious era was sown, almost unexpectedly: Messi’s reunion with Lionel Scaloni.

Scaloni, who had travelled to Russia as part of Jorge Sampaoli’s coaching staff, took charge of the national team shortly afterwards and understood perfectly what the ‘No. 10’ needed. He built a revitalised team that shielded their captain and, above all else, allowed him to enjoy the game once again.

The definitive turning point came in 2021, at the legendary Maracanã Stadium. There, against Brazil, Messi lifted the Copa América and broke a suffocating 28-year title drought for the senior national team.

That cry of relief, as he fell to his knees on the pitch whilst all his teammates ran to embrace him, was the ultimate liberation. That’s how it felt – both for the players and for the people celebrating across the country.

With that leaden burden finally lifted from his shoulders, what followed was a parade of glory. Victory in the Finalissima against Italy in 2022 served as a prelude to the most eagerly awaited event: the World Cup in Qatar.

In the Middle East, Messi lifted the trophy he was most obsessed with, was able to add a third star to the Argentine crest and healed any lingering wounds once and for all. “It’s over, it’s over,” he told his own family after winning the World Cup.

Then, as if that weren’t enough, victory at the 2024 Copa América in the United States reaffirmed the overwhelming dominance of this generation of the Argentine national team, providing the ideal momentum heading into the 2026 World Cup.

But this epic journey of 200 battles cannot be summed up solely in terms of medals and victory laps. Messi’s influence on the ‘Albiceleste’ also dominates the statistics. Behind the leader, the captain and the national idol lies a record-breaking machine.

Lionel Messi’s records for the Argentina national team

  • Most appearances: All-time leader after breaking the 200-match barrier for official appearances.

  • All-time top scorer: The undisputed king of the national team’s net with 120 goals.

  • All-time top assist provider: The player with the most assists in the history of the ‘Albiceleste’ (61).

  • World Cups played: The first Argentine in history to play in six World Cups (2006–2026).

  • Most World Cup matches played: Holds the FIFA record for the most World Cup matches played, having surpassed 27.

  • Top World Cup goalscorer: Joint top scorer at the World Cup alongside Miroslav Klose with 16 goals.

  • Most Copa América appearances: The player with the most appearances in the tournament’s history (over 39).

  • Most goals in South American qualifiers: All-time top scorer in the CONMEBOL qualifying campaign.

  • The only player to be named World Cup MVP twice: Voted the tournament’s best player at Brazil 2014 and Qatar 2022.

  • Most official goals in a single match: The only Argentine to have scored five goals in a single match (against Estonia).

  • Most hat-tricks for the ‘Albiceleste’: He took the ball home on 10 occasions after scoring three or more goals.

  • Most goals in a calendar year: His most prolific year was 2022, with a staggering tally of 18 goals.

  • Oldest goalscorer: The oldest player to score for Argentina.

Will there be room for any more of Messi’s records at the 2026 World Cup?

Only time and fate know.