'There is no comparison between Argentina and Mexico' - Messi discounts notion of international rivalry, with El Tri only managing four wins in 32 meetings

Is there a rivarly between Mexico and Argentina? Lionel Messi doesn't think so.

The Inter Miami star recently recalled Argentina’s match against Mexico at the 2022 World Cup - a game the Albiceleste won 2-0, with Messi scoring one of the goals. He claimed that "there is no comparison between Argentina and Mexico" and insisted that there’s no meaningful rivalry between the two national teams.

In an interview with Simplemente Fútbol, Messi said he doesn’t know where the supposed “beef” with Mexico originated.

“Honestly, I don’t know what happened with the Mexicans or when that rivalry even started," he said. "I’ve always felt very loved by the people of Mexico. I’ve never disrespected anyone. I think they placed themselves in a rivalry with us that doesn’t really exist. There’s no comparison between Argentina and Mexico, and I don’t know where that came from."

Historically, La Albiceleste has been vastly superior to El Tri, who has sustained several painful defeats - including eliminations in the 2006, 2010, and most recently, the 2022 World Cup at the hands of the South Americans.

The Mexican national team last defeated Argentina in the 2004 Copa América, and since then, the balance has clearly tilted in favor of Argentina - they are currently on an 11-match unbeaten streak against Mexico. The two teams have faced each other 32 times, with El Tri managing just four wins.

Messi recalled the match against Mexico at Lusail Stadium, which was crucial for Argentina’s hopes in the tournament - a turning point that ultimately led La Albiceleste becoming world champions.

"The stadium was intense," he said. "Mexico travels everywhere - to every World Cup, every competition. That was the only match where there were more Mexicans than Argentinians in the stands."

Messi's first goal against El Tri came during the 2007 Copa América, in Argentina’s 3-0 semifinal win. The following year, he found the net again in a friendly match, where La Albiceleste defeated Mexico 4-1.

In 2015, the former Barcelona star scored once more in a friendly that ended in a 2-2 draw. His most recent goal against Mexico came in the 2022 World Cup clash.