Lionel Messi: Examining Argentina’s Icon Goalscoring Record Against Brazil

• Lionel Messi and Argentina face Brazil in a monumental World Cup qualifier
• The Inter Miami superstar has faced Brazil many times, but his record isn't spectacular
• This fixture is considered the biggest in international football

Brazil host Argentina in a mouth-watering 2026 World Cup qualifying clash at the famous Maracana Stadium on Tuesday, November 21.

Lionel Messi will face the five-time World Cup champions looking to score just his 7th goal against the global football giants.

Messi has scored hundreds of goals against many opponents in his club and international career, and no one can question his iconic status.

However, Brazil have kept him quiet for a long time, and the Inter Miami star just can't seem to score against them.

According to FIFA, Messi has never scored against Brazil in a senior competitive fixture. That stat is unfathomable, considering Messi's incredible career.

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In 15 appearances against Brazil, he has scored just six goals. All those goals have come in friendlies except one in the semi-final of the FIFA World Youth Championship in 2005. His first senior goal against Brazil came in 2010 in a friendly they won 1-0.

He has won seven, drawn two and lost six times in the 15 games against Brazil.

Messi's international career so far

Messi has played 179 games for Argentina and scored 106 goals. In March 2023, he became just the third player to score 100 international goals.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (128) and Iran's Ali Daei (109) are the other players to score at least 100 goals, per UEFA.

He bagged seven of his goals in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar but was pipped to the Golden Boot by France's Kylian Mbappe, who scored a historic hat-trick in the final. He took home the biggest prize, the World Cup trophy.

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He's also won a Copa America, an Olympic Gold Medal, and a World Youth Championship title. Brazil have done an excellent job of stopping the little magician over the years.

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Brazil vs Argentina preview

Sports Brief earlier previewed the highly anticipated Brazil vs Argentina 2026 World Cup qualifier clash set to be hosted at the famous Maracana Stadium.

These two sides have met over 100 times and won World Cups and Copa Americas. Both sides lost their last matches, but Argentina still top the CONMEBOL standings after five games.

Brazil will be without Neymar and Vinicius Junior, but Albiceleste have eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi.