Messi extends perfect group stage run to 33 out of 33

Despite modest expectations, Inter Miami have booked their place in the knockout rounds of the FIFA Club World Cup. They finished second in their group behind Palmeiras, narrowly missing out on top spot, but remained unbeaten throughout.

While the achievement sparked celebration at the MLS club, those familiar with Messi's record might have seen it coming.

Now 38, the Rosario-born icon has once again made it past the group stage — a phase he has never failed to negotiate in his entire senior career, whether at club level (with Barcelona, PSG, and now Inter Miami) or for Argentina (both senior and youth sides).

In elite competition alone, Messi has successfully cleared the group stage 33 times. These appearances span the UEFA Champions League (19/19), Copa America (7/7), FIFA World Cup (5/5), Leagues Cup (1/1), and now the Club World Cup (1/1).

Across those 33 campaigns, Messi has featured in 252 matches, recording 162 wins, 58 draws, and 32 defeats, while contributing 185 goals and 67 assists — a direct involvement in 252 goals in 252 matches. That’s exactly one goal contribution per game.

The bulk of those numbers came during his time at Barcelona, where he cleared the Champions League group stage 17 times. His two years at Paris Saint-Germain brought that total to 19 — and it is the French side, fittingly, who await him in the last 16 this time.

With Argentina, Messi has also always reached the knockout rounds in every Copa America he has contested (2007, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, and 2024) as well as in each of the five World Cups he’s played in (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 — his most dramatic qualification — and 2022).

Beyond those 33 elite-level group stages, Messi also progressed in three additional youth tournaments with Argentina: the 2005 South American U-20 Championship, the 2005 U-20 World Cup, and the 2008 Olympic Games, where he won gold in Beijing with the U-23 team.

Messi's group stage record (Clubs + national team)

- 33 group stages contested

- 33 group stages advanced

- 252 matches played

- 252 direct goal contributions (185 goals, 67 assists)

- 162 wins (64.28%)

- 58 draws (23.02%)

- 32 defeats (12.70%)

Breakdown by club

- Barcelona: 17 out of 17

- PSG: 2 out of 2

- Inter Miami: 2 out of 2