•Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing the curtain down on a glittering 21-year career with Argentina.
The 39-year-old leaves as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer with 125 goals in 207 appearances, having won the 2022 FIFA World Cup and two Copa América titles.
During his senior international career, Messi faced Nigeria’s Super Eagles four times, with Argentina winning all four encounters.
He scored three goals against the West Africans.
2014 World Cup
Messi scored twice in Argentina’s 3-2 victory over Nigeria in their final Group F match at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
On June 25 in Porto Alegre, Messi opened the scoring in the third minute after reacting quickest to a rebound from Ángel Di María’s effort off the post.
Nigeria responded almost immediately through Ahmed Musa, who equalised for the Super Eagles.
Just before half-time, Messi restored Argentina’s lead with a superb free-kick into the top corner.
Musa scored his second early in the second half before Marcos Rojo’s deflected effort secured victory for Argentina, with both teams advancing to the knockout stage.
Messi scored again when the sides met four years later in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
With Argentina needing a victory to reach the last 16, Messi broke the deadlock in the 14th minute in Saint Petersburg, controlling Éver Banega’s long pass before slotting the ball past the Nigerian goalkeeper.
Victor Moses equalised from the penalty spot early in the second half, but Rojo struck late with a volley to give Argentina a 2-1 victory and eliminate Nigeria.
The match was Messi’s final senior appearance against the Super Eagles.
His history with Nigerian football, however, dates back to the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands.
In the final, Messi scored twice from the penalty spot as Argentina defeated the Flying Eagles 2-1 to win the title, marking his emergence on the global stage.
Across four senior meetings with Nigeria, Messi scored three goals while Argentina maintained a perfect winning record. His encounters with the Super Eagles remain notable moments in an international career defined by records, trophies and historic achievements.
