In a career that has taken him across nearly every continent, Lionel Messi continues to add new milestones to his remarkable soccer journey. The Inter Miami captain recently stepped onto the pitch in Jamaica for the first time, marking his presence in yet another country. His visit to Kingston not only thrilled over 30,000 fans at the National Stadium but also added a new chapter to his extensive list of soccer destinations.
As he scored the decisive goal in stoppage time, Messi helped Inter Miami secure a 2-0 victory over Jamaica Premier League champions Cavalier FC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16. The win, which sealed a 4-0 aggregate triumph, ensured his side’s passage to the quarter-finals, where they will face Los Angeles FC in April.
For Messi, however, this match held additional significance beyond mere progression in the tournament. It marked his 51st country played in and the 180th city he has graced with his presence. But in how many countries has he actually scored and which are they? That answer, revealing yet another astonishing milestone in his career, unfolds in the heart of this journey.
Historic night in Jamaica
For fans in Kingston, Messi’s arrival was historic, drawing comparisons to another legendary visit when Pele and Santos played in the Caribbean nation in 1971. The anticipation was palpable, and when the Argentine forward stepped onto the field in the 53rd minute, the stadium erupted in excitement.
Despite having missed three games due to fatigue, the 37-year-old wasted no time making an impact. Shortly after coming on, he fired a shot over the crossbar, showing his intent to leave his mark on his latest soccer destination. The field conditions deteriorated as the match progressed, yet Messi continued to search for space to attack.
It was in the 92nd minute that the Herons’ captain truly delivered. As Cavalier’s defense scrambled to hold their ground, the Argentine maestro slipped behind the back line and calmly slotted home a goal, ensuring that his first-ever appearance in Jamaica ended in a moment to remember.
How many countries has Messi scored in?
Over his legendary career, Messi has played in 51 countries and 180 cities, but what sets him apart is his ability to score across the globe. With his recent goal in Jamaica, Messi has now found the back of the net in 36 different countries.
His most prolific goalscoring territory remains Spain, where he netted an astonishing 624 goals, spending most of his club career at Barcelona. However, since leaving La Liga, he has continued his goalscoring dominance across multiple leagues and international fixtures.
Here’s a breakdown of Messi’s goals by country:
Spain: 624United States: 55Argentina: 35France: 34Brazil: 9England: 9Qatar: 8Germany: 6Switzerland: 6Scotland: 5Italy: 4Ukraine: 4Czech Republic: 4Cyprus: 3Ecuador: 3Guatemala: 3Israel: 3Japan: 3Netherlands: 3Russia: 3Venezuela: 3United Arab Emirates (UAE): 3Saudi Arabia: 2Belarus: 2Chile: 2Colombia: 2Georgia: 2Paraguay: 2Peru: 2Portugal: 2Hong Kong: 2Denmark: 1Greece: 1China: 1Monaco: 1Jamaica: 1
