Messi Retires: How He Scored Three Goals Against Nigeria

Lionel Messi’s international career has come to an end, bringing the curtain down on one of the most decorated careers in football history.

The Argentine superstar played in six World Cups and scored 125 goals, including a World Cup triumph. Among the teams he regularly encountered was Nigeria, with Messi appearing against the Super Eagles four times at senior international level.

Argentina won all four of those matches, while Messi scored three times.

2010: Messi Makes His Senior Debut Against Nigeria

Messi’s first senior meeting with Nigeria came at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Argentina secured a narrow 1-0 victory over the Super Eagles in Johannesburg.

The two nations crossed paths again a year later in a September 2011 friendly in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Argentina won 3-1, although Messi featured without scoring.

2014: Messi Scores Twice in 3-2 Thriller

Messi finally found the net against Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, scoring twice in Argentina’s dramatic 3-2 victory.

The Group F encounter in Porto Alegre began with Messi opening the scoring in the early stages.

Nigeria quickly responded through Ahmed Musa, but Messi restored Argentina’s lead with a brilliant free-kick just before the interval.

Musa later scored again after half-time to level the contest, before Marcos Rojo’s deflected strike handed Argentina the decisive victory.

Messi’s two goals in the match were his first against the Super Eagles.

2018: Messi Scores Again in Final Nigeria Meeting

Messi met Nigeria once more at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and again Argentina came out on top.

The South Americans defeated the Super Eagles 2-1 in Saint Petersburg, with Messi scoring Argentina’s opening goal in the first half.

Victor Moses equalised for Nigeria from the penalty spot, but Marcos Rojo struck late to secure Argentina’s victory and qualification for the knockout stage.

It proved to be Messi’s final senior international appearance against Nigeria.

His record against the Super Eagles therefore stands at three goals in four senior appearances, with Argentina winning every meeting.

A Rivalry That Started at Under-20 Level

Messi’s encounters with Nigeria began before he established himself as a senior international star.

In 2005, Argentina played Nigeria in the final of the FIFA U-20 World Youth Championship in the Netherlands.

The final, played on July 2, 2005, saw Messi score twice from the penalty spot as Argentina defeated the Flying Eagles 2-1 to lift the trophy.

FIFA later described the 2005 U-20 World Cup as the tournament where Messi first announced himself on the global stage.

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