Lionel Messi’s reputation as one of football’s most prolific goal scorers is undisputed. Across both club and international football, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has consistently demonstrated his ability to deliver in front of goal.

While his exploits at club level are widely celebrated, his international record with Argentina has at times been undervalued. Even after leading his country to World Cup glory in 2022, some aspects of his international career remain underappreciated.

With an astonishing 125 goals from 205 appearances, Messi has found the net against most nations he has faced. However, there are still 15 countries that he has yet to score against. Here’s a look at those teams.

To clarify, this list only includes nations that Messi has actually played against. So, before anyone points out that he hasn’t scored against Kiribati or the Principality of Sealand, note that those encounters have never taken place.

Messi’s senior debut for Argentina came against Hungary in 2005—a match memorable for all the wrong reasons. He was sent off just 30 seconds after coming on, retaliating to a challenge and receiving a straight red card. He has not had a chance to redeem himself against them since.

Qatar is another side that Messi has faced twice, once early and once late in his international career. Although Argentina won both matches, Messi didn’t score on either occasion. He provided an assist in a 2005 friendly and captained his team to a 2-0 victory at the 2019 Copa America, but the goal eluded him both times.

Norway remains one of the few nations Messi has neither scored against nor beaten. Argentina have yet to find success in their limited meetings with the Scandinavian side.

Argentina and South Korea have only met three times in history, and Messi featured in just one of those—during the 2010 World Cup. Despite Argentina’s comfortable 4-1 win, Messi couldn’t get on the scoresheet.

Encounters between Argentina and Greece have been even rarer. They have faced each other only twice, both times at the World Cup. Argentina triumphed 4-0 in 1994 and 2-0 in 2010, the latter match featuring Messi as captain, but no goals for him personally.

The Republic of Ireland has faced Argentina just once in the 21st century, in a post-2010 World Cup friendly. Messi played, but Ángel Di María’s strike secured the victory.

Despite their geographical proximity, Argentina and Costa Rica rarely meet. They have played four times since 2010, with Argentina winning all four. Messi appeared only once, in the 2011 Copa America group stage, contributing two assists but failing to score.

Messi’s sole appearance against Sweden came in a 2013 friendly at the Friends Arena. Argentina edged the match 3-2, courtesy of goals from Sergio Agüero, Gonzalo Higuaín, and an own goal by Mikael Lustig, but Messi went goalless.

Against Trinidad and Tobago, nicknamed the Soca Warriors, Argentina registered a comfortable win in a pre-2014 World Cup friendly. Messi captained the side and provided an assist, but didn’t find the back of the net. Remarkably, the two countries have only met once.

Belgium is another nation Messi has faced just once in the 21st century—during the 2014 World Cup quarterfinals. Both sides were chasing glory, but Higuaín’s goal made the difference, sending Argentina through and knocking out Belgium’s much-hyped “Golden Generation.”

In November 2017, Argentina travelled to Moscow to face Russia in a friendly. Messi captained the team, but it was Agüero’s late header that secured a narrow 1-0 win, leaving Messi without a goal once again.

Iceland denied Messi in the opening group match of the 2018 World Cup, holding Argentina to a frustrating draw. Messi missed a penalty in that match—his first ever penalty attempt at a World Cup, excluding shootouts. He faced Iceland again in a pre-2026 World Cup friendly, registering an assist but no goal.

During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Argentina’s group-stage win against Poland featured goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julián Álvarez. Messi didn’t score in that match, but considering Argentina went on to win the tournament, it’s unlikely he was too concerned.

As part of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup, Argentina enjoyed a 6-0 win over Puerto Rico in November 2025. Messi didn’t score but provided two assists in the rout.

In another pre-World Cup warm-up, Argentina defeated Mauritania 2-1 in a hastily arranged fixture following the cancellation of the Finalissima in March. Messi played 45 minutes, showcasing his class even without scoring and leaving a lasting impression on his opponents.