The Colombia national football team features in the closing chapter of Lionel Messi's international career, as the Argentine star announced his retirement. The Rosario-born forward faced Los Cafeteros 13 times at senior level, scoring just once. Colombia itself approaches this moment in strong form, unbeaten in its last five matches, including a 0-0 draw against Switzerland on July 7th.
What was Messi's record against Colombia?
Lionel Messi first faced Colombia with the senior Argentine team at the 2007 Copa América. In that match, a 4-2 win for Argentina, the player was on the pitch for 84 minutes. His only goal against the tricolor came during qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup, scored on November 20, 2007, at Bogotá's El Campín stadium. Messi capitalized on a defensive mistake after a run down the left wing to score.
The total record for the now former Argentine international against Colombia is 13 senior matches, with a mix of wins, draws, and losses spread over nearly two decades. His first encounter, however, was at youth level during the 2005 U-20 South American Championship held in Colombia. In that tournament, both teams drew twice and Messi did not score. He would get his revenge months later, eliminating the Colombian U-20 team from the World Cup of the category in the Netherlands with a goal in the round of 16.
What happened with violence in Colombian football?
As one chapter closed with Messi, local football made headlines again for violent incidents. The match between Deportivo Cali and Atlético Bucaramanga, corresponding to the eighth round of the Liga BetPlay, ended in a pitched battle. The events occurred at the Palmaseca stadium after a 99th-minute equalizer from a penalty by Cali's Leyser Chaverra.
Frustration from the visiting team sparked angry protests. Atlético Bucaramanga manager Pablo Peirano entered the field to warn of a possible pitch invasion by fans and had a verbal confrontation with midfielder Gustavo Cuéllar. Peirano and players Keimer Sandoval (Cali) and José García (Bucaramanga) were sent off. Cali's Venezuelan manager, Rafael Dudamel, strongly criticized the events in a press conference, calling them "shameful."
How did Colombia's U-17 fare against Mexico?
In preparation for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup, the Colombian team in that category played two friendlies against Mexico. The first match, on August 28, ended in a 4-1 defeat for Colombia. However, the team managed to bounce back in the second game, played at the High Performance Center (CAR), winning by a single goal.
These matches served as the final preparation phase for the world tournament in Qatar. The senior Colombia national football team, meanwhile, focuses on its next official fixture. Its next match is an away game against Mexico on September 26, as shown on our fixtures page. The team managed by Néstor Lorenzo maintains a run of three wins and two draws in its last five games, a solid foundation for the World Cup qualifiers. Fans can follow the squad's development in our squad section.
