Lionel Messi Sets World Cup Records as Argentina Advances

Lionel Messi, often referred to as the "soccer god," is making history at the FIFA World Cup.
The 2026 North American World Cup is likely to be Messi's last appearance on this stage. After Argentina's home match against Venezuela in the South American qualifiers last September, Messi stated, "This will be my last home game wearing the Argentina national team jersey." This effectively hinted at his retirement from international play following this World Cup.
Despite nearing the end of his national team career, Messi's performance remains at an elite level. On June 17, during the tournament's Group J opener against Algeria, he scored a hat trick in a 3-0 victory. On June 23, at the Dallas Stadium in Texas, he scored two goals against Austria, leading Argentina to a 2-0 win and securing their advancement to the knockout stage.
In the match against Austria, Messi initially missed a penalty kick in the 9th minute, marking his third penalty miss in World Cup history, following the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. However, he quickly rebounded, scoring two field goals. He netted the opening goal in the 38th minute with a left-footed shot from a pass by Facundo Medina, and added a second goal in stoppage time.   With his two goals against Austria, Messi shattered several World Cup records. He became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 18 goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose's previous record of 16 goals. Additionally, he broke the women's World Cup scoring record held by Brazilian legend Marta (17 goals), making him the top scorer across both men's and women's tournaments. Messi also increased his total World Cup points to 26 (18 goals and 8 assists), another all-time high. His scoring streak now spans six consecutive matches, tying him for the most consecutive games with a goal.
Just days after setting remarkable records in the Algeria match, Messi continued to break new ground. He set the record for the oldest player to score a multi-goal game in World Cup history, achieving this feat just before his birthday on June 24, 1987. He also set records for the most Player of the Match awards (13) and the most consecutive Player of the Match awards (6).
Messi's cumulative achievements are the result of consistent performance over the past 20 years. He has participated in six World Cups since his debut in 2006, setting the record for the most tournaments played. He has scored in five World Cups (1 goal in 2006, 4 in 2014, 1 in 2018, 7 in 2022, and currently 5 in 2026), tying with Cristiano Ronaldo for the most goals scored in World Cup history. He also holds the record for the most matches played in World Cups with 28 and the most wins with 18. His total playing time in World Cups has reached 2,489 minutes, a record that continues to grow.   With Argentina's two consecutive group stage victories, they have already secured the top spot in their group and a place in the knockout stage, suggesting that Messi's record-breaking run will continue in the upcoming matches.
After the match, Messi remarked, "I never imagined starting the tournament this way. I'm a bit tired now, but I want to celebrate this moment with my teammates. I'm satisfied with the results and the team's overall performance. Argentina enjoys playing together, whether in official matches or friendlies. Seeing the fans happy is a great joy. I want to keep this momentum going."
He added, "The World Cup is a long and challenging tournament, so we will take it one step at a time. I am enjoying this tournament with a special feeling and enjoying playing on the field."



* This article has been translated by AI.

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