Lionel Messi reached another historic milestone with his latest World Cup goal for Argentina, setting a new record by scoring against 13 different national teams. The Inter Miami captain extended two major FIFA World Cup records during the group stage, further cementing his legacy as football's greatest-ever player.
Messi Breaks Record for Most Nations Scored Against
Messi achieved the landmark after finding the net against Jordan during Argentina's final Group J fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to ESPN Sport Centre, no other player in World Cup history has scored against as many different countries. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner came off the bench and curled home a second-half free-kick to restore Argentina's two-goal cushion, taking his overall World Cup tally to 19 goals and strengthening his status as the competition's all-time leading scorer.
His latest strike means he has now scored against 13 different nations across six World Cup editions. The list includes European sides Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Netherlands, Croatia, and France; African opponents Nigeria and Algeria; Asian teams Iran, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Jordan; and North America's Mexico. No other player has managed such a wide variety of victims on football's biggest stage.
Former Germany striker Jurgen Klinsmann, Brazil icon Ronaldo Nazario, and Germany legend Miroslav Klose jointly occupy second place, each having scored against 10 different countries.
Seven Consecutive World Cup Matches with a Goal
Messi's impact against Jordan extended beyond the record-breaking list of opponents. According to FIFA, his free-kick made him the first footballer in World Cup history to score in seven consecutive matches at the tournament. Although he featured for only about 30 minutes, that proved enough for the Argentine maestro to extend his incredible scoring streak.
He has now scored six goals during the ongoing 2026 tournament and remains one of the favourites to claim another Golden Ball as Argentina pursue back-to-back World Cup triumphs. His consistency over multiple tournaments continues to separate him from virtually every other player to have appeared at the global finals.
Argentina Captain Comes Off Bench to Seal Win
Argentina were already in control after establishing a two-goal lead before the interval against Jordan. The Asian side threatened to make the closing stages uncomfortable after pulling one goal back midway through the second half, prompting coach Lionel Scaloni to introduce his captain. Messi entered the contest around the hour mark and quickly restored Argentina's two-goal cushion.
Unlike many of his trademark spectacular free-kicks, this effort owed as much to experience as technique. The Jordan goalkeeper anticipated the strike too early, leaving enough space for Messi to guide the ball into the exposed side of the goal. The strike ensured Argentina finished the group stage on a high while giving their talisman yet another personal milestone.
Why Messi Wears a Different Jersey
Legit.ng previously reported that Messi is among a select group of players wearing a unique sleeve patch during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. FIFA introduced the special 'Legacy' badge for footballers who have played in five or more World Cups, while Messi also wears the exclusive Golden Ball patch in recognition of previously winning the tournament's Best Player award.
With Argentina safely through to the knockout rounds, Messi will now look to carry his impressive form into the round of 32 as the reigning champions continue their quest for another title.
