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Lionel Messi's Argentina Drought A Worry?

Lionel Messi's Argentina Drought A Worry?

Lionel Messi

FC Barcelona superstar, Lionel Messi has once again struggled to find his goal-scoring boots while wearing the Argentina shirt.

Read: Messi: I Wanted To Die After Keeper Save

The 28-year-old has only scored one goal at the Copa America so far, and it came from the penalty spot against Uruguay - while he was also on target in the penalty shootout against Colombia, which isn't regarded as an official goal.

Overall, Messi scored his last goal from open play for Argentina back in a friendly against Hong Kong in October, and he has drawn four blanks in the last six games - whilst his two goals in that period came from the penalty spot.

If we take friendly games out of the picture, the Argentina captain has only scored one goal in the last eight competitive games for the Albiceleste.

He failed to score against Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany at the World Cup, and now drew blanks in his last three Copa games against Uruguay, Jamaica and Colombia.

His lack of goals at competitive level means Messi has not scored a goal from open play with Argentina in 855 minutes.

However, Messi still seems very influential on the pitch for Argentina, having completed the most successful dribbles at the Copa (30) and being the second-most fouled player (16).

But his goals-per-game ratio is much worse for the national team than for his club. With 411 goals in 482 appearances for Barca, he averages 0.85 goals a game, while this ratio sinks down to just 0.45 goals per game at national team level.

Read: Messi Wins Trophy Every 20 Games, CR7 Every 37

Still, Messi has scored 46 goals in 101 caps, which is the second best in Argentina history - just 10 goals behind Gabriel Batistuta.

Messi has another chance to end his Argentina drought when his side faces Paraguay in the semi-finals on Wednesday morning.

Why do you think Lionel Messi struggles more with his national team than at club level? Have your say in the comments section below.

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