Messi has played a total of 37 group stages and has always won them with his teammates. This streak started in the 2004-05 season in the Champions League group stage with Barcelona.
The Argentine superstar played the entire final match of Group F against Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine on December 7, 2004, at the age of 17 years, 5 months and 13 days. Despite losing 0-2 in this match, he and his teammates still advanced to the second place in the group, behind AC Milan.
Messi set many records while playing for Inter Miami (Photo: Getty).
Since then, Messi has qualified for the UEFA Champions League group stage 18 times in a row with Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain (PSG). During this time, the Argentine superstar has won 4 championships in 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015.
Since joining Inter Miami in the summer of 2023, Messi has scored consecutive goals, helping the team lead the Southern Group in the 2023 Leagues Cup after two victories over Cruz Azul and Atlanta United. The following year, he continued to participate in the journey to overcome the Eastern Group stage with Inter Miami, with the second place in the group.
Ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, many believe that Messi will have a hard time maintaining his impressive form, as Inter Miami is considered underrated among the 32 clubs participating in the tournament. This team won the right to participate thanks to a FIFA wildcard as the host country's representative, the United States, and the achievement of winning the MLS Supporters' Shield in 2024.
However, Messi still excelled in leading Inter Miami through the group stage with an impressive unbeaten record (one win and two draws). In the final match of Group A against Palmeiras on June 24, Inter Miami approached the top spot when leading 2-0 until the 80th minute, aiming for a second consecutive victory. However, unfortunately, they let their opponents rise up and level the score at 2-2.
Messi in the match against Colombia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America (Photo: Getty).
At the national team level, Messi has helped Argentina advance past the group stage of the World Cup five times. He has become a key player, helping the team reach the final in 2014 and win the championship in 2022.
The Argentine superstar has participated in 7 Copa America tournaments and made it past the group stage in all of them. Of those, his Argentina team reached the final 5 times, with two championships in 2021 and 2024.
In total, Messi has participated in the group stage of 34 professional tournaments and has successfully passed all stages with his teammates. Including at the youth level, the striker born in 1987 has achieved this achievement a total of 37 times.
Despite their impressive form, Inter Miami and Messi are expected to soon stop at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. In the round of 16, they will meet PSG, a team with a very strong squad and considered a top candidate for the championship.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/chi-tiet-an-tuong-trong-su-nghiep-cua-lionel-messi-20250625094948151.htm
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