The Argentine has reached 36 goals and ties for second place in the all-time scoring charts heading into the World Cup.
Lionel Messi shone again in Argentina 's jersey , and he did so in a special context: his final match in the South American Qualifiers . The Albiceleste captain scored two goals in the 3-0 victory over Venezuela, achieving a record that places him among the world's elite in qualifying.
With this brace, the Rosario star reached 36 goals in qualifying matches, equaling the record held by Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo . The two now share second place in the all-time scoring rankings in this type of competition.
The only player who surpasses Messi and Cristiano is Guatemalan Carlos Ruiz, who holds the record with 39 goals in World Cup qualifiers. This leaves the Argentine just three goals away from equaling the top spot in the table, a record that could remain unattainable if it is confirmed that this was his last qualifying match.
The victory over Venezuela not only represented a new achievement for Lionel Scaloni's team, but also another milestone in Messi's extraordinary career. In addition to his 36 goals in qualifying, he has an international career that maintains him as one of the most influential footballers in history.
WCQ Shooters Top 5
1. Carlos Ruiz, 39 goals - Guatemala
2. Messi (+2 hoy), 36 goals - Argentina
3. Cristiano, 36 goals - Portugal
4. Ali Daei, 35 goals - Iran
5. Lewandowski, 31 goals - Poland
veycmpuy
353
Imagine Messi playing against Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Latvia, he would score 2000 goals already. ๐ Messi
Pecelrtuz
190
We messi fans are satisfied with his goal and assist record plus his trophies, we dnt need person goal glory only team glory
Lizabceks
167
don't ever compare South America to Europian
Shmonny
133
Whoever introduced me to football did a terrible job! This is torture! I fell in love with this beautiful game and found a player who made football look too easy. What the id!ot didn't tell me is that one day, the player would retire! ๐
Davichi
82
Lionel's game isn't just about goals, yet (while topping other categories) he's still one of the best when it comes to goals.
Sovoty
63
Doesn't it surprise you that only Messi out of all the great players from South America (Neymar, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Maradona, Bautista...) is on that list while almost the rest of the players are either from Asia or Europe? These WC qualifiers from Europe and the other areas are a JOKE. You even know who will qualify as number 1 and 2 from the group b4 the games begin. If Messi was playing in Europe, he would have 50 plus WC qualifing goals by now.
cj1
45
If its the Arab goat will want to play more games just to be over the Goat๐๐๐ God bless the king๐๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ
Ashfaqfahim
43
Imagine Messi playing against Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Latvia, he would score 2000 goals already. ๐ Messi
Haiti ๐ญ๐น Panama ๐ต๐ฆ Guatemala ๐ฌ๐น Venezuela ๐ป๐ช Bolivia ๐ง๐ด Nicaragua ๐ณ๐ฎ Honduras ๐ญ๐ณ Curacao ๐จ๐ผ
hupacepstu
42
Imagine Messi playing against Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Latvia, he would score 2000 goals already. ๐ Messi
But Messi played in France where teams are just as poor like another country but how many goals did he scored
Nstech
37
I know some idiots gonna show up somehow and start comparing messi & Ronaldo๐๐๐ shut up and letโs just enjoy watching these greatest Goats ๐ stop comparing them
ZeeshanAwan
37
*๐ฆ๐ท๐ LIONEL MESSI HAS SCORED GOALS FOR THE ARGENTINE NATIONAL TEAM FOR 20 CONSECUTIVE YEARS:* โ 2006: 02 goals โ 2007: 06 goals โ 2008: 02 goals โ 2009: 03 goals โ 2010: 02 goals โ 2011: 04 goals โ 2012: 12 goals โ 2013: 06 goals โ 2014: 08 goals โ 2015: 04 goals โ 2016: 08 goals โ 2017: 04 goals โ 2018: 04 goals โ 2019: 05 goals โ 2020: 01 goal โ 2021: 09 goals โ 2022: 18 goals โ 2023: 08 goals โ 2024: 06 goals โ 2025: 02 goals _194 Games_ _114 Goals_ _58 Assists_ ```What a career. ETERNAL GOAT๐โฝ๏ธ๐ฆ๐ท```
tisiprstu
24
This display is so highly biased. If it's Ronaldo that got there first and Messi equalled him on a just concluded scoreboard, then how could anyone and for what reason does he display Messi going above Ronaldo? Ronaldo should remain in his 2nd position because Messi just challenged the position. He hasn't taken it yet. The one who got there first can't fall before Messi goes him. Better change otherwise, this looks so biased.
Ur_Enemy
20
Imagine Messi playing against Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Latvia, he would score 2000 goals already. ๐ Messi
Imagine Ronaldo playing against Haiti and honduras ๐๐๐
Roybdkosz
19
Bioaeimost
16
Imagine Messi playing against Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Latvia, he would score 2000 goals already. ๐ Messi
so do you think Venezuela Ecuador Bolivia and those Countries are better than European countries?
flourishdee
16
And the Funny thing about Messi is that he doesn't chase personal glory. He would have opted to score above the 39 goal record before retirement. I admire his personality so much. May you live long, King Messi.
neydnouyy
13
we see which continent has won most times.
South America has only 10 teams, and almost all of them are strong, while Europe has over 50 teams but around 80% are average.
Fiyabeimy
12
don't ever compare South America to Europian
because european can never win against south American team
gallasyommy
11
Imagine Messi playing against Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Latvia, he would score 2000 goals already. ๐ Messi
He wonโt be where he is now tbh๐ He would have become lazy South American football is not for the weak and that probably toughened Messi
Notabckm
11
don't ever compare South America to Europian
we see which continent has won most times.
hazadkoru
10
don't ever compare South America to Europian
Yet South America got more world cups๐๐๐
Valzy109
9
Imagine Messi playing against Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Latvia, he would score 2000 goals already. ๐ Messi
Just be talking rubbish!!
bawbeios
8
This display is so highly biased. If it's Ronaldo that got there first and Messi equalled him on a just concluded scoreboard, then how could anyone and for what reason does he display Messi going above Ronaldo? Ronaldo should remain in his 2nd position because Messi just challenged the position. He hasn't taken it yet. The one who got there first can't fall before Messi goes him. Better change otherwise, this looks so biased.
Messi has played lesser games always that's the deference.....
AFerHKJc1725
8
don't ever compare South America to Europian
The lowest ranking South American national football teams are Bolivia and Venezuela yet they are above Estonia,Latvia,Foreo island,San Marino,Malta Andora,Moldova etc
Jodacnru
8
This display is so highly biased. If it's Ronaldo that got there first and Messi equalled him on a just concluded scoreboard, then how could anyone and for what reason does he display Messi going above Ronaldo? Ronaldo should remain in his 2nd position because Messi just challenged the position. He hasn't taken it yet. The one who got there first can't fall before Messi goes him. Better change otherwise, this looks so biased.
must u cry and complain in everything about Messi