By scoring a goal against Canada, Lionel Messi has made history by overtaking Ali Daei to become the second highest scorer for the Argentina national team, just behind Cristiano Ronaldo. This significant achievement took place during the 2024 Copa America semi-final between Argentina and Canada.
In the 51st minute of the game, Messi netted his 109th goal for Argentina, surpassing the record set by the iconic Ali Daei. This milestone further solidifies Messi’s remarkable career and brings him closer to Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 130 goals for the Portuguese national team.
Argentina has officially secured their spot in the Copa America final after a victory against Canada. A photo from Getty captures the moment of triumph.
Messi’s goal in the match was somewhat fortuitous, coming off a deflected shot from Enzo Fernandez. Nonetheless, it marked his first goal in the Copa America 2024 tournament. This goal also adds to his impressive tally of 14 goals throughout the history of the competition, showcasing his undeniable impact on the Argentina team and in South American football.
In addition to breaking Ali Daei’s goalscoring record, Messi has also made history by surpassing Sergio Livingstone’s long-standing record for the most appearances in the Copa America tournament. Livingstone, a legendary Chilean goalkeeper, had held the record since 1953, making Messi’s achievement all the more impressive.
The 37-year-old forward was awarded the MVP in the Argentina vs. Canada match.
Messi had already tied Ali Daei on the all-time scoring list before the tournament began. After scoring twice in a 4-1 victory over Guatemala, he was set to surpass the Iranian legend in the main event.
When looking at global football, Messi falls behind Cristiano Ronaldo but surpasses players like India’s Sunil Chhetri (93 goals) and Malaysia’s Mokhtar Dahari (89 goals). Nevertheless, in the overall comparison of men’s and women’s football, Canada’s Christine Sinclair still holds the top spot with 190 goals in 328 international games.
Messi’s personal record for Argentina is truly remarkable. He has scored 109 goals and provided 56 assists in 186 appearances for his country, setting new records for Argentine football.
The Inter Miami standout player is close to clinching his second Copa America title. Messi is on the hunt for his third international championship, having secured victories at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 2021 Copa America. In addition to these accolades, the eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient also boasts an under-23 Olympic gold medal from the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Messi’s recent triumph serves as not only a personal milestone but also as a source of motivation for his entire national team. By consistently finding the back of the net and shattering records, Messi is showcasing that age is no obstacle to his exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to the sport.