Lionel Messi has a chance to equal former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez’s record as the highest goalscorer in South American FIFA World Cup qualifiers when Argentina face Ecuador later tonight (September 7).
Messi scored 28 times in South American World Cup qualifiers, while Suarez scored 29 for Uruguay. With the latter not selected for his country’s squad, Messi has a chance to match or even surpass his former Barcelona team-mate in the latest run of international matches.
Messi scored 103 goals in 175 games for Argentina. The winner of the 2022 FIFA World Cup is on the brink of a new record. After playing against Ecuador, Argentina will face Bolivia in FIFA World Cup qualification five days later (September 12).
Javier Tebas lamented Lionel Messi’s departure from Barcelona
Lionel Messi was forced to leave Barcelona in the summer of 2021 as the Blaugrana were unable to renew the Argentine’s contract due to La Liga wage cap rules. He has since played two seasons with Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain before joining MLS side Inter Miami on a free transfer this summer.
La Liga president Javier Tebas said he wished Messi had stayed in Spain. Speaking of one of La Liga’s greatest players, Tebas said (according to GOAL):
“Messi didn’t finish his career in La Liga because Leo and FC Barcelona didn’t agree. I wish he could have stayed and finished his career in La Liga. That would have been the best for him, for me and for Barcelona.”
Messi is in excellent form at his new club Inter Miami. He scored eleven goals and provided five assists in eleven league appearances for the MLS club. Messi also helped Tata Martino’s side win their first Leagues Cup, the Herons’ first trophy in their short five-year history.
Quick links
More from Sportskeeda
