Super Eagles: Messi’s perfect record against Nigeria revealed

Argentine maestro Lionel Messi has called time on his international career at the age of 39, and for the Super Eagles, his retirement closes a chapter that produced some painful memories, Soccernet.ng reports.

Messi leaves the Argentine national team after 207 games that saw him contribute 125 goals. He holds the record for both the highest number of appearances and the highest number of goals. Of course, he has silverware to show, having won the Copa America twice and the World Cup in 2022.

Interestingly, he left quite a mark on Nigeria. Or better still, against the Super Eagles. The Argentine superstar faced Nigeria on four occasions during his senior international career. Argentina won all four matches, while Messi scored three goals against Nigeria.

His record against Nigeria is particularly notable because all four meetings came at different stages of his international career, including three World Cup encounters.

Messi’s First Meeting With Super Eagles Ended In Victory

Messi’s first senior appearance against Nigeria came at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Argentina defeated the Super Eagles 1-0 in Johannesburg on June 12, 2010, with Gabriel Heinze scoring the only goal of the game.

Messi had the Super Eagles backline on chokehold. If not for Vincent Enyeama's brilliance in goal, Messi would have left with a hattrick.

Messi played the full 90 minutes but did not score. Nevertheless, Argentina held on for three points in their opening Group B fixture.

The two nations met again the following year in a friendly in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Argentina won 3-1 on September 6, 2011, with Messi again featuring but failing to find the net. That made it two wins from two for the Argentine against Nigeria.

Two Goals Against Nigeria At The 2014 World Cup

Messi's most productive game against Nigeria came at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Nigeria and Argentina met in their final Group F fixture on June 25, with Argentina eventually winning 3-2.

Messi scored twice. The Barcelona forward opened the scoring before restoring Argentina's advantage shortly before half-time. Ahmed Musa scored twice for Nigeria, while Marcos Rojo eventually produced the decisive goal.

Messi is the leading scorer in the fixture between the two nations, with three goals in total across his four appearances against Nigeria.

That 2014 encounter remains one of the Super Eagles' closest World Cup battles with Argentina, but Nigeria once again finished on the losing side.

The 2018 World Cup Delivered Another Messi Heartbreak

Four years later, Messi and Nigeria met again at the World Cup, this time in Russia. Argentina won 2-1 in Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018, with Messi opening the scoring.

The pass
The touch
The goal

I’m sorry, Messi owns Nigeria😭🙏pic.twitter.com/5j3FQSSyAh

— VIK🇵🇹 (@ludgardwontmix) February 7, 2026

The Argentine controlled a long pass from midfield before finishing past Francis Uzoho to give his side the lead.

Nigeria equalized through Victor Moses from the penalty spot, but Marcos Rojo scored late to send Argentina into the last 16 and eliminate the Super Eagles. That was Messi's final appearance against Nigeria's Super Eagles.