How many times has Messi beaten Brazil?

South American rivals Argentina and Brazil go back a long time and have pitted some of the most talented players against each other. Over the last decade or so, one of the greatest has featured in the ranks of La Albiceleste, a certain Lionel Messi.

Messi's Argentina vs Brazil

In terms of Messi's performances against the famed Samba Boys, there is a neat symmetry to it. Many have pointed to the way he would often carry his Barça team to such incredible heights at club level but this hasn't been as clear with the national side.

Over his 13 games for Argentina in this fixture, he has won and lost six with the remaining game ending in a draw. Across those matches Messi has contributed five goals, not insignificant but down on where many would expect him to be. Obviously the biggest of these fiery clashes in recent times came in the summer, where Argentina were crowned Copa América champions, a goal from Ángel di Maria enough to overcome Brazil.

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Messi and Copa América finals

As mentioned above, much has been said about Messi's inability to create his club form with the sky blue and white Argentine shirt and the Rosario born striker had been on the losing side in three previous Copa America finals before the most recent win.

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2007 was the striker's first taste of Copa disappointment as Brazil were too strong for the Argentine's in Venezuela stomping to a 3-0 win with goals from Baptista, an og from Ayala and Dani Alves rounding off the scoring.

The next heartbreak for Messi came in Santiago as both home side Chile and Argentina played out a 0-0 draw in the final game of the 2015 Copa America. Messi was the only Argentina player to bag his penalty and misses from Huguain and Banega saw Chile crowned as champions.

The following year (2016) in the Copa America Centenario staged in the US, once again Chile and Argentina featured the final and history repeated itself with the game being tied after extra time. Messi missed his spot kick and once again Chile were crowned champions.

So distraught was Messi following the match, that he announced his retirement from the international side only for the striker to reverse the decision some months later. He'll be delighted he did given what transpired.

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Messi and the World Cup

Despite having represented Argentina at four World Cup finals, the closest Argentina and Messi have got to securing glory was at the 2014 tournament in Brazil when they faced Germany in the final. A tense affair was eventually resolved by a single goal when Mario Gotze slotted home in the 113th minute after the game was tied 0-0 at the end of regular time.