Lionel Messi scores his 800th career goal in his first game with Argentina since World Cup

Lionel Messi scored his 800th career goal for club and country with a stunning free-kick in Argentina’s first game since becoming world champions.

Messi and Co. were given a sensational welcome by their fans in Buenos Aires on Thursday as they played their first match since their emphatic triumph in Qatar.

Just like at the tournament last year, the Paris Saint-Germain star delivered in his nation’s 2-0 victory over Panama. 

Messi curled home an incredible free-kick in the 89th minute to double his country’s lead following  Thiago Almada’s opener.

The superstar whipped the ball over the Panama wall and into the top right corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance from around 25 yards out. 

Messi celebrates after making more history on Thursday night as Argentina overcame Panama

Lionel Scaloni picked the same starting line-up from the World Cup final win over France as they looked dominant from the start, but could not break through the Panamanian defensive wall until late in the second half.

Atlanta United’s Almada opened the scoring in the 79th minute with his first international goal after capitalising on a rebound following a free kick by Messi that hit the left post.

Captain Messi finally got his 800th career goal and doubled the lead in the 89th minute with a brilliant free-kick that went into the top right corner to excite the more than 80,000 fans chanting his name at the Monumental Stadium.

Argentina will continue their World Cup winners’ homecoming with a friendly against Curacao on Tuesday, while Panama face Costa Rica in the CONCACAF Nations League.