Messi Is Not Over Yet, Leads The Top Score Of The 2026 World Cup Conmebol Zone Qualification

Lionel Messi still contributes importantly to Argentina and Inter Miami (doc. FIFA).

JAKARTA - The 2026 Conmebol Zone World Cup qualification has just completed two matchdays on November 14 and 19, 2024.

Argentina still leads the standings with 25 points from 12 matches they have played. Their captain, Lionel Messi, has no sign of a decline.

The two 2026 World Cup Qualification matches will be Messi's last campaign this year for his country.

He closed the trip this year by helping Team Tango win over Peru 1-0 at La Bombonera, Buenos Aires, November 19, 2024.

Despite not scoring in Argentina's last two matches, Messi still leads the list of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers with six goals.

The note makes his daily book throughout 2024 even sweeter. Previously, he brought Inter Miami to Supporter' Shield for the first time in the club's history.

For Argentina, this year Messi made a big contribution, especially when he won the 2024 Copa America.

"An unforgettable one more year," said Messi, summarizing the sweet moment in 2024, reported by the FIFA page.

No wonder, in the last match against Peru at home, Messi received a lively welcome from supporters at La Bombonera.

The stadium is very historic for La Pulga because he once gave one of the best nights of his career when he received a lively applause after winning the 2021 Copa America edition.

"It was the most amazing thing that ever happened to me in my sporting career," said Messi, remembering that he was accompanied by tears.

The 37-year-old has just finished his 21st season as a professional footballer.

His journey this year was tarnished due to the unexpected elimination of Inter Miami from the MLS Cup.

However, that is not really regretted by Messi. He implies it has not run out and is ready to face the challenges of 2025.

The year 2025 promises a challenging year at club and international levels. FIFA reflects the last 12 months and looks to the tireless future of the Argentine superstar.

MLS Revolution

After his historic arrival in the United States, Messi won his first trophy with Inter Miami in 2023 as they lifted the League Cup.

He continued in 2024 by winning Supporter' Shield, which was awarded to the team with the best regular season record in MLS (Major League Soccer).

Inter Miami finished the season with 74 points thanks to 22 wins and four draws, and recorded only eight defeats.

Despite only appearing in half the games this season, La Pulga had a big influence when he played.

He won the Most Valuable Player award after scoring 20 goals and pocketing 16 assists in 19 matches (15 starters).

After winning Supporter' Shield, Inter Miami entered the MLS Cup as a favorite. However, they were eliminated early in Atlanta United's hands in the first half.

As attention turns to 2025, Messi and Inter Miami will be determined to make up for their mistakes.

Next year, Inter Miami will also take part in the Concacaf Champions Cup, a title that could give them a place in the next FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

However, the biggest challenge for La Pulga and his team-mates to come as they take part in the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and followed by 32 teams.

Messi and his colleagues' prospects for dealing directly with the greatest teams on earth are tantalizing.

Healthy Habits

One of the toughest sportsmen in history, winning a major trophy with his country has become Messi's habit after suffering from heartache for years.

In 2021, he finally won his first senior international title by winning the Copa America.

He hasn't looked back since then. In 2022, he inspired his country to win a third World Cup trophy with an amazing individual campaign in Qatar.

In 2023, he also performed brilliantly for La Albiceleste and became part of the team that beat Brazil 1-0 at Maracana.

The win gave them a big rival to lose their first home in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

This year, he won the Copa America again, with Argentina winning 1-0 with an extra time over Colombia in the final.

Despite an ankle injury forcing him to be replaced in the 66th minute, and his crying photo on the bench went viral, his team-mates tried their best to ensure their captain lifted the trophy.

Argentina's victory over Peru in Messi's last match in 2024 ensures La Albiceleste end the year at the top of the Conmebol Zone World Cup Qualification standings.

Their tickets to the 2026 World Cup finals have not been mathematically confirmed. However, it seems only a matter of time before they confirm the venues in the tournaments that will take place in Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

In 2024, Messi made 11 appearances for La Albiceleste and scored six goals. He scored twice against Guatemala, scored in the 2024 Copa America semifinal win over Canada, scoring three goals against Bolivia.

Messi will celebrate his 38th birthday in June 2025, but he is showing no signs of slowing down.

Top World Cup Qualification Score 2026 Conmebol Zone

6 Lionel Messi (Argentina)5 Darwin Nunez (Uruguay)4 Luis Diaz (Colombia)4 Raphinha (Brazil)4 Tony Sanabria (Paraguay)4 Miguel Terceros (Bolivia)3 Nicolas de la Cruz (Uruguay)3 Lautaro Martinez (Argentina)3 Nicolas Otamendi (Argentina)3 Rodrygo (Brazil)3 Rondon (Venzozaela)3 Enner Valencia (Ekuador)3 Eduardo Vargas (Chili)

Top Score Of Conmebol Zone World Cup Qualification In History

1954: Baltazar, Brazil 5 goals (1958: Several players 31962: Oreste Corbatta, Argentina 31966: Hector Silva, Uruguay 51970: Tostao, Brazil 101974: Ruben Ayala, Argentina 51978: Zico, Brazil 51982: Zico, Brazil 51986: Jorge Aravena, Chile 1990: Careca, Brazil and Ruben Sosa, Uruguay 51994: William Ramallo, Bolivia 71998 : Ivan Zamorano, Chile 12 goals2002 : Hernan Crespo (Argentina) and Agustin Delgado (Ekuador) 102006 : Ronaldo, Brazil 102010 : Humberto Sauzo, Chile 102014: Luis Suarez, Uruguay 112018 : Edinson Cavani, Uruguay 102022 : Marcelo Moreno, Bolivia 10