New on Sports Illustrated: Lionel Messi Sets Argentina Cap Record With 148th International Appearance

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With his 148th international appearance, Lionel Messi surpassed former Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano's Argentina record.

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Lionel Messi has added another record to his immense collection: most international appearances for Argentina. 

On Monday, Messi earned his 148th cap in Argentina's final group match of the 2021 Copa América against Bolivia, which sees the star surpass former Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano's record. 

The Rosario native, who just turned 34 last Thursday, made his first appearance for Argentina in August 2005, when he came on as a substitute against Hungary in an infamous debut that lasted only a minute after he received a red card. Things have gotten considerably better since.

Messi is already Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer with 73 international goals, putting him 13th on the men's all-time international goalscoring list. 

Messi's new Barcelona teammate, Sergio Agüero, also had an occasion to celebrate Monday with his 100th career appearance for La Albiceleste. 

Argentina came into the match against Bolivia in first place in Group A after going unbeaten in its three games, which included wins against Uruguay and Paraguay and a draw with Chile. 

Messi opened Argentina's tournament with a brilliant free kick against Chile, the 57th free-kick goal of his career, to add to his international highlight reel. He is still chasing an elusive major international trophy with Argentina, though, after helping his country to second-place finishes at the 2014 World Cup, the 2015 Copa America and the 2016 Copa America Centenario.

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