Lionel Messi’s record at Mercedes-Benz Stadium ahead of England vs Argentina World Cup semi-final

Lionel Messi arrives in Atlanta with more experience of Mercedes-Benz Stadium than any other player set to feature in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina.

For the Three Lions, it is fairly unfamiliar territory. For La Albiceleste, it has become a happy hunting ground. And for their little magician, it is a stadium that has already witnessed comebacks, heartbreak and yet more reminders of why he remains one of football's defining figures at the age of 39.

Across the World Cup, Copa America, FIFA Club World Cup and Major League Soccer (MLS), Messi has made seven appearances at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, contributing three goals and two assists while experiencing almost every emotion the game has to offer.

Ahead of another huge night in Atlanta, FootballGroundGuide looks back at his remarkable record at one of North America's premier football venues.

How has Lionel Messi fared at Mercedes-Benz Stadium?

Messi first graced the Atlanta venue with Argentina during the opening match of the 2024 Copa America.

Although he did not get on the scoresheet in a 2-0 victory over Canada, the captain dictated proceedings throughout before supplying the assist for Lautaro Martinez's late goal. It was a performance built on control and creativity rather than individual brilliance, setting the tone for another successful international campaign.

Two years later, Mercedes-Benz Stadium became the backdrop for one of Argentina's most dramatic World Cup victories.

Trailing Egypt 2-0 in the Round of 16 and having already missed a first-half penalty, the reigning champions looked destined for a shock exit. Messi had other ideas. He pulled a goal back with five minutes remaining before creating Enzo Fernandez's stoppage-time winner as Argentina completed an extraordinary 3-2 comeback.

If there were any lingering doubts about his influence approaching his 40th birthday, they disappeared in Atlanta.

His experiences with Inter Miami have been similarly varied.

Messi's first MLS appearance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium came as a substitute after returning from injury during a 2-2 draw with Atlanta United in September 2024. A few weeks later, the same opponents inflicted a painful 2-1 defeat in the MLS Cup playoffs, ending Miami's season despite another full shift from the Argentine.

He responded in style the following year.

In March 2025, Messi scored his first MLS goal of the campaign as Inter Miami claimed a dramatic 2-1 victory over Atlanta United, before returning to the stadium three months later for the 2025 Club World Cup.

Against Porto, he scored his 50th Inter Miami goal with a trademark curling free-kick to inspire a comeback victory. Ten days later, however, he endured one of his quietest nights in Atlanta as his former club Paris Saint-Germain cruised to a 4-0 win in the Club World Cup Round of 16.

Taken together, Mercedes-Benz Stadium has witnessed every side of Messi's enduring brilliance: the playmaker, the goalscorer, the match-winner and, on occasion, the frustrated superstar unable to change the outcome alone.

England now become the latest team tasked with stopping him at a stadium he knows better than almost any other on the international stage.

Lionel Messi full record at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

For Argentina:

• Argentina 2–0 Canada (20 June 2024, Copa America) – 90 mins, 0 goals, 1 assist
• Argentina 3–2 Egypt (7 July 2026, World Cup R16) – 90 mins, 1 goal, 1 assist, 1 penalty miss

For Inter Miami:

• Atlanta 2–2 Inter Miami (19 Sept 2024, MLS) – 29 mins, 0 goals
• Atlanta 2–1 Inter Miami (2 Nov 2024, MLS playoffs) – 90 mins, 0 goals
• Atlanta 1–2 Inter Miami (16 March 2025, MLS) – 90 mins, 1 goal
• Inter Miami 2–1 Porto (19 June 2025, Club World Cup) – 90 mins, 1 goal
• PSG 4–0 Inter Miami (29 June 2025, Club World Cup R16) – 90 mins, 0 goals