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ARLINGTON, Texas – Lionel Messi turns 39 years old in less than 48 hours, but he’s still rewriting the record books.
Most World Cup goals – men’s or women’s – in history (18). Most World Cup matches won (18). Most World Cup games played (28). Most minutes played (2,489).
All of those records were broken by the legendary forward after he scored both of Argentina’s goals in its 2-0 over Austria on Monday, June 22, to clinch a spot in the knockout stage. He could’ve had another hat trick, too, if it weren’t for a penalty kick miss in the 12th minute.
REQUIRED READING: Messi and Argentina are dominating – but they still haven't hit top gear
“I don’t know what else to say, you know?” Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said after the match. “You almost get tired (of talking about him.)”
The legendary forward has scored all five of Argentina’s goals in both of its wins to open the 2026 World Cup, scoring a hat trick against Algeria before his brace against Austria. Simply put, he’s a man on a mission right now, and is leading – perhaps improbably at nearly 39 years old – Argentina in hopes of back-to-back World Cup wins to likely end his career at the tournament.
The announced sell-out crowd of 70,649 at AT&T Stadium – called Dallas Stadium by FIFA – held their breath after Messi was awarded a penalty kick after VAR showed Lautaro Martinez was fouled in the box in the early minutes. It resulted in an almost surefire moment for the goals record, with Messi set up a few feet from the goal.
But he missed wide right, showing the arguable greatest footballer ever is, indeed, human. But in the most Messi of ways, he responded with two surgical goals, first in the 35th minute and again in extra time after weaving through five Austria defenders and sneaking in the shot through a narrow lane.
The first goal broke the men’s World Cup scoring record set by Miroslav Klose of Germany in 2014. The second broke the men’s and women’s record, set by Brazil’s Marta in 2019.
"There were moments when I was really angry about missing the penalty, but I was able to make up for it," Messi said after the game.
It’s only fitting for one of the sport’s all-time greats to sit alone at the top of multiple World Cup records.
“He showed today he is on a level of his own and that he is the greatest,” said Austria manager Ralf Rangnick.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Messi World Cup records: Argentina star owns more than top goal-scorer
Continue reading...
Most World Cup goals – men’s or women’s – in history (18). Most World Cup matches won (18). Most World Cup games played (28). Most minutes played (2,489).
All of those records were broken by the legendary forward after he scored both of Argentina’s goals in its 2-0 over Austria on Monday, June 22, to clinch a spot in the knockout stage. He could’ve had another hat trick, too, if it weren’t for a penalty kick miss in the 12th minute.
REQUIRED READING: Messi and Argentina are dominating – but they still haven't hit top gear
“I don’t know what else to say, you know?” Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said after the match. “You almost get tired (of talking about him.)”
The legendary forward has scored all five of Argentina’s goals in both of its wins to open the 2026 World Cup, scoring a hat trick against Algeria before his brace against Austria. Simply put, he’s a man on a mission right now, and is leading – perhaps improbably at nearly 39 years old – Argentina in hopes of back-to-back World Cup wins to likely end his career at the tournament.
The announced sell-out crowd of 70,649 at AT&T Stadium – called Dallas Stadium by FIFA – held their breath after Messi was awarded a penalty kick after VAR showed Lautaro Martinez was fouled in the box in the early minutes. It resulted in an almost surefire moment for the goals record, with Messi set up a few feet from the goal.
But he missed wide right, showing the arguable greatest footballer ever is, indeed, human. But in the most Messi of ways, he responded with two surgical goals, first in the 35th minute and again in extra time after weaving through five Austria defenders and sneaking in the shot through a narrow lane.
The first goal broke the men’s World Cup scoring record set by Miroslav Klose of Germany in 2014. The second broke the men’s and women’s record, set by Brazil’s Marta in 2019.
"There were moments when I was really angry about missing the penalty, but I was able to make up for it," Messi said after the game.
It’s only fitting for one of the sport’s all-time greats to sit alone at the top of multiple World Cup records.
“He showed today he is on a level of his own and that he is the greatest,” said Austria manager Ralf Rangnick.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Messi World Cup records: Argentina star owns more than top goal-scorer
Continue reading...
