
Lionel Messi Called up by Argentina
November 11, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Inter Miami CF News Release
Inter Miami CF captain Lionel Messi has been called to represent the Argentine National team for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches this month.
La Albiceleste will host Uruguay at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. ET. The 2022 World Cup winners will then travel to Brazil for the team's second qualifying match during the international break on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
For Argentina, Messi holds the records for most caps (178), most goals (106), and most World Cup goals (13), while also holding the international record for most World Cup match appearances (26) and being the only player to score in the World Cup group stage, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and final. He has also been key in making history for La Albiceleste, leading the team's historic 2021 CONMEBOL Copa América, 2022 Finalissima and 2022 FIFA World Cup title wins. Messi most recently represented his country and helped the team's winning run continue in FIFA World Cup qualifiers in October. In the second fixture of the FIFA window, Messi led the way in a 2-0 win over Peru on Tuesday, Oct. 17, playing the full 90 minutes and registering two jaw-dropping goals in the 32nd and 42nd minutes. Notably, with his brace Messi achieved yet another historic record, as he became the top goalscorer in Conmebol World Cup qualifiers history with 31 goals.
On the club side, Messi made 14 appearances across all competitions in 2023 after joining Inter Miami in the summer, registering an impressive 11 goals and eight assists. Notably, the Argentine helped Inter Miami to a historic win in the 2023 Leagues Cup to clinch the First Team's first official title in Club history, winning Leagues Cup Best Player and Top Scorer awards after recording an impressive 10 goals and four assists in seven games in the competition..
Messi also claimed his record eighth Ballon d'Or trophy in October, becoming the first active player in Major League Soccer (MLS) history to win the most prestigious individual accolade in world fútbol.
Major League Soccer Stories from November 11, 2023
- Houston Dynamo FC Advance to Western Conference Semifinals on Penalty Shootout - Houston Dynamo FC
- Lionel Messi Called up by Argentina - Inter Miami CF
- Inter Miami CF Teamed up with Feeding South Florida for Third Annual Serving Those Who Serve Us Event Honoring Veterans and Active Service Members - Inter Miami CF
- Match Preview: Atlanta United vs. Columbus Crew in Game 3 of Round One, Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs - Atlanta United FC
- Drake Callender Named Inter Miami CF 2023 Defensive Player of the Year - Inter Miami CF
- Lionel Messi Named Inter Miami CF 2023 MVP - Inter Miami CF
- Three FC Cincinnati Players Called up for November Qualifiers for 2026 FIFA World Cup - FC Cincinnati
- Sounders FC Advances to MLS Western Conference Semifinals with 1-0 Victory Over FC Dallas FC - Seattle Sounders FC
- FC Dallas Playoff Run Comes to an End After Suffering 1-0 Defeat to Seattle Sounders FC - FC Dallas
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