No international outfit has suffered at the hands of Argentina's Lionel Messi more often than Bolivia, as the legendary eight-time Ballon d'Or win has scored more goals against them than any other nation.
Here, Sports Mole looks back on Messi's career record against La Verde.
© Imago
Lionel Messi's record vs. Bolivia
Played: 12
Won: 8
Drawn: 3
Lost: 1
Goals: 11
Assists: 4
Bolivia will be sick of the sight of Messi, as even at the age of 37 he continues to haunt them, with 11 of his 112 international goals coming against them; no team has been on the receiving end of more.
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.
One of his finest displays in the blue and white of his country came a few months later though, in 2022 World Cup qualifying, as a Messi hat trick guided Argentina to a 3-0 win over La Verde, 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.
However, unquestionably his greatest performance came in the most recent meeting in October, as Messi netted another hat trick, and set up two more as Argentina trounced Bolivia 6-0 in Buenos Aires.
Those three 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.
Andrew Delaney
