Lionel Messi's latest group stage success came at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with Inter Miami. Despite pre-tournament concerns about Inter Miami's perceived inferiority to Porto and Palmeiras, Messi, 38, maintained his perfect record. With one win and two draws, Inter Miami secured second place in Group A, advancing to the round of 16 to face PSG.

Messi during Inter Miami's draw against Palmeiras in the final Group A match of the FIFA Club World Cup at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, USA, 22/6. Photo: FIFA

Messi's first group stage appearance was in the 2004-2005 Champions League with Barcelona. At 17 years, 5 months, and 13 days old, he played the full 90 minutes against Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine on 7/12/2004. Despite a 2-0 loss, Barcelona advanced as runners-up in Group F, behind Milan.

He subsequently navigated 18 consecutive Champions League group stages with Barcelona and PSG, winning the competition 4 times: in 2006, 2009, 2011, and 2015.

After joining Inter Miami in the summer of 2023, Messi's goals propelled the team to first place in the South 3 group of the Leagues Cup 2023, with victories over Cruz Azul and Atlanta United. The following year, he helped Inter Miami finish second in the East 3 group of the same tournament.

Messi has also progressed through five World Cup group stages with Argentina. Prior to Messi's arrival, Argentina exited the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea at the group stage. Since 2006, he has led the team to the 2014 final and victory in 2022. Since the World Cup Golden Ball award's inception in 1982, Messi is the only player to win it twice, achieving the feat in those two tournaments.

Messi has also participated in seven Copa America tournaments, successfully navigating the group stage each time. Five of those campaigns culminated in final appearances, including victories in 2021 and 2024. As in the World Cup, Messi is the only player to win the Copa America Best Player award more than once (in 2015 and 2021), although he declined the award in 2015 after Argentina's penalty shootout loss to Chile in the final.

In total, Messi has participated in 34 professional tournament group stages, progressing through every one. Including youth-level competitions, his unblemished record extends to 37 group stages.

Key moments of the Inter Miami 2-2 Palmeiras match.

In early 2005, Messi led Argentina to first place in the U20 South American Championship group stage, scoring 4 goals. Later that year, he helped Argentina finish second in their group at the U20 World Cup. Messi scored in every stage of the tournament, from the group stage to the final, leading Argentina to their fifth title. He won the Golden Boot and the Best Player award.

Messi also won a gold medal with Argentina at the 2008 Olympics in China, with the team winning all 6 of their matches.

Messi's record stands in stark contrast to that of his contemporary, Cristiano Ronaldo. The 40-year-old forward has been eliminated in the group stage six times: at the 2014 World Cup, the 2020 and 2022 UEFA Nations League tournaments, the 2002 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, the 2004 Olympics, and the 2005 Champions League.

Hoang An