Lionel Messi, the Argentine soccer legend, continues to captivate fans worldwide with his extraordinary talent and consistency. As one of the greatest players in history, Messi’s journey from a young talent at Barcelona to a transformative force in MLS with Inter Miami is a story of unparalleled achievement.
For American fans following US Soccer – MLS action, exploring “Messi career stats by season” provides a deeper understanding of his influence in both club and international Soccer. This article provides an in-depth look at Messi career stats, highlighting his goals, assists, and appearances throughout his remarkable journey.
Whether you’re a die-hard Inter Miami supporter or a global fan analyzing his legacy against peers like Cristiano Ronaldo, these stats reveal patterns of dominance, resilience through injuries, and evolution as a playmaker.
Lionel Messi’s career stats, including over 800 club goals and several titles with Argentina, highlight his exceptional talent and brilliance. Updated as of September 18, 2025, this guide keeps you informed with the latest highlights from his ongoing 2025 season.
Messi Career Stats – Record-Breaking Career Stats
- Lionel Messi has amassed over 800 club goals and 114 international goals across his illustrious career, spanning from 2004 to the ongoing 2025 season.
- His peak seasons at Barcelona saw him score 73 goals in the 2011-12 and 60 in the 2012-13 seasons across all competitions, showcasing his dominance in La Liga and the Champions League.
- With Argentina, Messi hit a record 18 goals in 2022, including leading them to World Cup glory, though his international tally has varied year to year.
- Current 2024-25 season stats show Messi contributing 29 goals and 11 assists in 43 games for Inter Miami and Argentina combined, maintaining elite form at age 38.
- While statistics highlight his genius, debates persist over comparisons with peers like Ronaldo, but Messi’s assist numbers (over 385 career) underscore his playmaking prowess alongside his scoring.
Messi Club Career Highlights
Messi’s club journey began at Barcelona, where he spent 17 seasons, winning 35 trophies and setting numerous records. He then moved to PSG for two seasons, adding Ligue 1 titles, before joining Inter Miami in MLS, where he’s revitalized the league. Messi Career Stats reflect his adaptability across Europe’s top leagues and now North America.
International Career Overview
Representing Argentina since 2005, Messi’s international stats include 194 caps, 114 goals, and 58 assists.
Messi breakthrough came in 2021 with the Copa América victory, followed by the 2022 World Cup win. Recent years show consistent contributions, though injuries have limited some appearances.
Career Milestones and Records
Messi Career Stats show he holds many records, like most goals in a calendar year (91 in 2012) and most Ballon d’Or wins (8). His stats by season reveal patterns of high output in his 20s, with a shift toward more assists in later years, reflecting evolving roles.
Lionel Messi, often hailed as one of the greatest soccer players of all time, has a career that spans over two decades, filled with jaw-dropping goals, precise assists, and countless trophies.
For fans in the USA following Major League Soccer (MLS) and international tournaments, understanding Messi’s career stats by season provides insight into his evolution from a young prodigy at Barcelona to a global icon now shining with Inter Miami.
This comprehensive breakdown covers his club and international performances, highlighting key metrics like appearances, goals, and assists. Whether you’re analyzing his Barcelona dominance or his recent MLS impact, these Messi career stats by season offer a clear picture of his enduring excellence.
Early Career and Barcelona Breakthrough (2004-2008)
Messi’s professional debut came with Barcelona in the 2004-05 season, where he made 9 appearances and scored 1 goal across all competitions. As a teenager, he quickly showed promise, contributing to La Liga and Champions League wins. By 2005-06, he played 25 games, netting 8 goals, including his first in the Champions League.
The 2006-07 season marked a step up, with 36 appearances and 17 goals, though injuries limited his play. In 2007-08, Messi recorded 40 apps and 16 goals, adding 16 assists as he became a key playmaker. These early seasons laid the foundation for his legendary Barcelona tenure.
Peak Barcelona Years (2008-2015)
Messi’s stats exploded under Pep Guardiola. In 2008-09, he played 51 games, scoring 38 goals and providing 19 assists, helping Barcelona win the treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey, Champions League).
The 2009-10 season saw 53 appearances, 47 goals, and 12 assists. Messi continued his rampage in 2010-11 with 55 games, 53 goals, and 29 assists, securing another Champions League title.
His record-breaking 2011-12 season featured 60 appearances, 73 goals, and 34 assists – the most goals in a single season for any player in history. In 2012-13, he had 50 apps, 60 goals, and 18 assists.
Despite injuries, 2013-14 yielded 46 games and 41 goals with 16 assists. Messi rebounded in 2014-15 with 57 appearances, 58 goals, and 31 assists, winning another treble.
Continued Dominance at Barcelona (2015-2021)
The 2015-16 season included 49 games, 41 goals, and 27 assists. In 2016-17, Messi posted 52 apps, 54 goals, and 18 assists. He led La Liga scoring in 2017-18 with 54 appearances, 45 goals, and 21 assists.
In 2018-19, he played 50 games, scoring 51 goals with 20 assists. The 2019-20 season, impacted by COVID, saw 44 apps (club only), 31 goals, and 25 assists combined.
His final Barcelona season, 2020-21, featured 47 apps, 38 goals, and 14 assists for the club, capping his time with 778 total appearances, 672 goals, and 303 assists.
Barcelona Stats by Season Table (All Competitions)
Here is detailed information on all-time Messi career stats by season below –
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-05 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| 2005-06 | 25 | 8 | 6 |
| 2006-07 | 36 | 17 | 5 |
| 2007-08 | 40 | 16 | 16 |
| 2008-09 | 51 | 38 | 19 |
| 2009-10 | 53 | 47 | 12 |
| 2010-11 | 55 | 53 | 29 |
| 2011-12 | 60 | 73 | 34 |
| 2012-13 | 50 | 60 | 18 |
| 2013-14 | 46 | 41 | 16 |
| 2014-15 | 57 | 58 | 31 |
| 2015-16 | 49 | 41 | 27 |
| 2016-17 | 52 | 54 | 18 |
| 2017-18 | 54 | 45 | 21 |
| 2018-19 | 50 | 51 | 20 |
| 2019-20 | 44 | 31 | 25 |
| 2020-21 | 47 | 38 | 14 |
- Note: Assists from league and major competitions; totals approximate based on available data.
Messi Career Stats with PSG Stint (2021-2023)
After leaving Barcelona, Messi joined PSG in 2021-22, adapting to a new league. He made 34 appearances, scoring 11 goals and providing 15 assists, helping win Ligue 1.
In 2022-23, he improved with 41 apps, 21 goals, and 20 assists, securing another Ligue 1 title and French Super Cup. Overall PSG stats: 75 appearances, 32 goals, 35 assists.
PSG Stats by Season Table (All Competitions)
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 34 | 11 | 15 |
| 2022-23 | 41 | 21 | 20 |
Messi Career Stats – Inter Miami Era (2023-Present)
Messi’s move to Inter Miami in 2023 brought excitement to MLS. In his partial 2023 season, he played 14 games, scoring 11 goals with 5 assists, leading to the League Cup victory.
The 2024 season saw 34 apps, 25 goals, and 18 assists. As of September 2025, in the 2024-25 season (ongoing), he’s at 25 games, 25 goals, and 5 assists in MLS and other comps. Overall Inter Miami: 73 apps, 61 goals, 28 assists.
Inter Miami Stats by Season Table (All Competitions)
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 14 | 11 | 5 |
| 2023-24 | 34 | 25 | 18 |
| 2024-25 | 25 | 25 | 5 |
International Career with Argentina (2005-2025)
Messi’s international journey had ups and downs, with early criticism for not winning major trophies until 2021. His stats show steady improvement, peaking in 2022.
From 2005-2010, he scored sporadically, with 10 goals in 48 apps. The 2010s saw higher output, like 12 goals in 2012.
Breakthrough in 2021: 16 apps, 9 goals, 4 assists, winning Copa América. In 2022, 14 apps, 18 goals, 4 assists, including World Cup heroics.
Recent years:
- 2023 (8 apps, 8 goals, 1 assist)
- 2024 (11 apps, 6 goals, 3 assists)
- 2025 (3 apps, 2 goals, 0 assists)
- Total: 194 apps, 114 goals, 58 assists
International Stats by Year Table
| Year | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 7 | 2 | 3 |
| 2007 | 14 | 6 | 2 |
| 2008 | 8 | 2 | 2 |
| 2009 | 10 | 3 | 0 |
| 2010 | 10 | 2 | 1 |
| 2011 | 13 | 4 | 8 |
| 2012 | 9 | 12 | 1 |
| 2013 | 7 | 6 | 4 |
| 2014 | 14 | 8 | 2 |
| 2015 | 8 | 4 | 3 |
| 2016 | 11 | 8 | 4 |
| 2017 | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| 2018 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
| 2019 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| 2020 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 16 | 9 | 4 |
| 2022 | 14 | 18 | 4 |
| 2023 | 8 | 8 | 1 |
| 2024 | 11 | 6 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
Overall Career Stats by Season (Club & International Combined)
For a holistic view, here’s Messi’s total stats per season, combining club and country performances. This highlights his consistent output.
Combined Stats Table
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-05 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| 2005-06 | 35 | 10 | 6 |
| 2006-07 | 46 | 21 | 5 |
| 2007-08 | 50 | 19 | 16 |
| 2008-09 | 60 | 41 | 19 |
| 2009-10 | 64 | 48 | 12 |
| 2010-11 | 66 | 57 | 29 |
| 2011-12 | 69 | 82 | 34 |
| 2012-13 | 62 | 69 | 18 |
| 2013-14 | 57 | 48 | 16 |
| 2014-15 | 67 | 62 | 31 |
| 2015-16 | 59 | 50 | 27 |
| 2016-17 | 57 | 57 | 18 |
| 2017-18 | 64 | 52 | 21 |
| 2018-19 | 58 | 54 | 20 |
| 2019-20 | 46 | 33 | 26 |
| 2020-21 | 60 | 44 | 17 |
| 2021-22 | 45 | 21 | 16 |
| 2022-23 | 54 | 38 | 25 |
| 2023-24 | 38 | 30 | 18 |
| 2024-25 | 43 | 29 | 11 |
Analysis and Legacy
Since Lionel Messi joined MLS, the league has become the hub of the American soccer revolution, transforming into a global spotlight for talent, fan culture, and commercial growth.
Messi’s career stats by season reveal a player who peaked in his mid-20s but sustained elite performance into his 30s. His move to MLS has introduced his talents to a new audience, with Inter Miami benefiting from his goal-scoring and creative abilities.
Despite some seasons being impacted by injuries, his impressive overall record of over 880 goals and 385 assists solidifies his legacy.
For USA fans, Messi’s Inter Miami stats are particularly exciting, as he continues to break MLS records. Keep an eye on the 2024-25 season, where he’s already on pace for another prolific year.