<P> Lionel Messi is an association football forward in the Argentina national football team . Since debuting for Argentina in 2005, Messi has scored 65 goals in 127 international appearances, making him the country's all - time top scorer, surpassing Gabriel Batistuta's record, with a free kick against United States in the semi-final of Copa América Centenario on 21 June 2016 . He made his debut for Argentina in a 2--1 away win over Hungary on 17 August 2005 . He scored his first international goal a year later in his sixth appearance for his country against Croatia . </P> <P> Messi's goal against Serbia and Montenegro, on 16 June 2006, made him the youngest - ever scorer for Argentina at a FIFA World Cup when he was 18 years and 357 days old . He has scored six international hat - tricks, and has netted twice in a match (also known as a brace) on eleven occasions . Messi has scored more times against Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela, Uruguay and Ecuador than any other team, with four goals against each one of them . </P>

How many goals has messi scored for country