In the first round of the FIFA World Cup group stage in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Messi scored from long range outside the box in the match between Argentina and Algeria. Algeria became the 11th opponent Messi scored against in the FIFA World Cup, which is another FIFA World Cup record.

Messi has scored against 11 different teams in the FIFA World Cup, surpassing Klinsmann, Ronaldo, and Klose, all of whom scored against 10 teams.

The 11 teams Messi scored against are: Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria (2 times/3 goals), Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Australia, Netherlands, Croatia, France (2 goals), Algeria.