Messi’s winner against Uruguay marked his 56th international goal for Argentina, drawing level with another former Albiceleste legend, Gabriel Omar Batistuta.
Some media outlets claim that Batistuta’s official tally for Argentina stands at 54 instead of 56, but that depends on who your source is: FIFA or the AFA. Back in June 1995, Argentina played an unusual friendly in Mendoza against the Slovakian nation youth side which they won 6-0. Batistuta scored two goals in that game which FIFA recognize as legitimate to his tally while the AFA don’t, and hence the ambiguity in Bati’s total goals scored for Argentina.
Here at Mundo, frankly we dont care… Messi and Batigol are two legends who will forever be inscribed in Argentine football history, and this post is not in any way a comparison, but a celebration of their 112 goals and everything else they have done for the Albiceleste.
Gabriel Batistuta
Albiceleste Career: 1991 – 2002
Senior Appearances (goals): 78 (56 goals)
Goals Ratio: 0.72 goals/game
World Cup: 10 goals
World Cup Qualifiers: 11 goals
Copa America: 13 goals
Confederations Cup: 4 goals
Friendlies: 18 goals
Lionel Messi
Albiceleste Career: 2005 – Present
U20 Appearances (goals): 18 (14 goals)
Olympic Appearances (goals): 5 (2 goals)
Senior Appearances (goals): 114 (56 goals)
Goals Ratio: 0.49 goals/game
World Cup: 5 goals
World Cup Qualifiers: 16 goals
Copa America: 8 goals
Friendlies: 27 goals