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Lionel Messi remains unbeaten in four nations’ international history

2026-07-17 · Lionel Messi · Player Focus

Lionel Messi has never beaten Saudi Arabia, Japan, Romania or the Netherlands in senior international football across 39 years and 33 World Cup games.

Which four nations has Messi never beaten?

Messi has faced Saudi Arabia twice and lost once. In the 2022 World Cup opener, Argentina’s 1-2 defeat to Saudi Arabia remains one of the biggest upsets in tournament history. Earlier, in a 2012 friendly watched by 50,000 fans, the sides drew 0-0 with Messi wearing the captain’s armband.

Japan beat Argentina 1-0 in a 2010 friendly. Messi started that match but the Samurai Blue struck within 20 minutes and La Albiceleste never replied.

Romania held Argentina to a 0-0 draw in a 2014 friendly. Messi captained the side alongside Sergio Agüero and Gonzalo Higuaín, yet neither side could find the net.

The Netherlands have drawn all three World Cup meetings with Messi. In 2006 it finished 0-0, in 2014 the sides drew 0-0 after extra time before Argentina won on penalties (recorded as a draw), and in 2022 the Orange forced a 2-2 draw after extra time before Argentina prevailed on penalties again.

How does this fit Messi’s career?

Messi’s 2022 World Cup triumph capped a golden era that included 21 goals in 33 World Cup games, making him the tournament’s all-time top scorer. At 39, he also became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick during the 2026 campaign.

Despite those records, the four fixtures above remain the only senior international meetings where Messi has left without a win. They span friendlies in 2010, 2012 and 2014, and three World Cup clashes in 2006, 2014 and 2022.

What’s next for Messi and Argentina?

Messi is closing in on another Golden Boot at the 2026 World Cup with eight goals and four assists so far. A third World Cup final appearance would extend his record and further cement his legacy as the competition’s defining player.

For now, those four nations remain the only ones to leave Messi empty-handed in senior international football.

More Lionel Messi news →