Messi’s first international strike came in just his sixth cap in a friendly against Croatia in March 2006. After assisting Carlos Tevez's equaliser, he picked up a misplaced Stjepan Tomas pass, cut in on his soon-to-be famous left foot, and curled home a terrific goal to cap a frantic opening six minutes.
Messi's FIFA World Cup™ odyssey began at Germany 2006, as Jose Pekermen selected him amid a stacked forward line featuring Tevez, Javier Saviola, Hernan Crespo and more.
After spending the 2-1 win over Côte d'Ivoire on the bench, Pekermen summoned Messi for his global bow with 16 minutes to go as they led ten-man Serbia and Montenegro 3-0. Within four minutes he scurried into the box and squared for Crespo to tap home before Tevez slipped in the youngster ten minutes later to duly net his maiden World Cup strike.
By 2007 Messi was a key cog of the Argentina machine and dazzled as they reached the Copa America final in Venezuela. He couldn’t prevent a Julio Baptista-inspired Brazil securing glory in the Maracaibo showpiece, though, as the Seleção won 3-0.
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