Credit: Michael Reaves/Getty Images

(CNN)-- Lionel Messi lived in Spain for many years, as he was a player for the Spanish club Barcelona, with whom he achieved several individual and collective achievements, before deciding to leave for French club Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

Messi and his national team are preparing to face 'La Roja' in the 2026 World Cup final, at MetLife Stadium, next Sunday.

Lionel Messi shares the top scorer ranking in the current tournament with Kylian Mbappé, with 8 goals, and has also provided 4 assists.

During his football career, Messi faced Spain in 3 friendly matches, the first in 2006, where he played as a starter but did not score or assist, and it ended in favor of 'La Roja' with a score of 2-1.

Messi (39 years old) scored one goal from the penalty spot, in the second match, which also ended for Spain with a score of 2-1, in 2009.

Lionel Messi repeated shaking the net of 'La Roja' during his team's victory with a score of 4-1, in 2010. On the collective level, the 'Albiceleste' played 14 times against Spain, each won 6 times, while a draw dominated two matches.

Argentina had won the World Cup title three times in the editions of 1978, 1986, and 2022, while the 'La Roja' team won the title once in the 2010 edition.