Argentinavs.Bolivia

Despite a near-perfect record against Bolivia at home, Argentina and Messi have had some forgettable days against their upcoming opponents.

As often the heavy favourites when the two nations meet, Argentina have improved their record against La Verde in recent years though, and they will be much fancied to do so again this week.

Here, Sports Mole looks back on Messi's career record against Bolivia ahead of Tuesday's showdown in the Argentine capital.

Lionel Messi's record vs. Bolivia

Played: 11

Won: 7

Drawn: 3

Lost: 1

Goals: 8

Assists: 2

Out of all 109 international goals scored by the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, no team has been on the receiving end of more than Bolivia, with Messi's tally of eight the most he has netted against a single nation.

Messi's most notable performances against Bolivia have mostly been during the so-called twilight of his career, if it can even be referenced in that way.

On the way to Copa America glory in 2021 - Messi's first major honour with the national team, one of his numerous superb performances came in their group stage win over Bolivia, as the captain stepped up with two goals and an assist in the first half on the way to a 4-1 win.

Unquestionably his best individual performance against La Verde came a few months later though, in 2022 World Cup qualifying, as a Messi hat trick guided Argentina to a 3-0 win, aiding their qualification for the finals they would go on to win in Qatar.

The second goal Messi scored in that game was also a special one, as it saw him reach 78 international goals, and therefore breaking Pele's record for the most scored by a South American player.

Those two performances in particular makes it slightly surprising that Messi struggled in his first few appearances against Bolivia.

Messi's first was a routine 3-0 home win in 2007, but he was then part of the Argentina side that suffered possibly their most humiliating qualifying defeat in history, as they were beaten 6-1 in La Paz in 2009 under Diego Maradona.

In 2011, the two nations met twice, and both ended in 1-1 draws, the second of which was Bolivia's only ever result in Argentina, and again, Messi failed to leave his imprint on any of those outings.

It took him until his sixth appearance against Bolivia to net his first goal against them, as Messi notched twice in a 7-0 friendly thrashing in 2015.

A penalty in a 2-0 win in World Cup qualifying for the finals in Russia saw Messi add to that tally in a win that proved hugely important, as Argentina only narrowly qualified for the 2018 finals.