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Now in his sixth World Cup appearance, Lionel Messi continues to dazzle and amaze fans as the greatest international football player on the planet.
On Monday, he recorded his 17th career goal at the event, taking over the top spot for most goals scored at the World Cup by one player.
That early goal was a beautiful highlight, as Messi sped in from the center of the field to connect on the ball, sending it to the far side of the goal and out of reach of the Austrian goalkeeper. It gave Argentina the early 1-0 lead in a game they ultimately won 2-0 to qualify for the Knockout Phase.
They previously defeated Croatia to begin their play on American soil, with Messi recording a spectacular hat trick at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes watching from up in the box seats.
And while they weren’t considered the top contenders to win this year’s World Cup, the reigning champions are now beginning to spark conversations about the potential for them to repeat, thanks to their star player.
More news:Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s World Cup Claim Draws Doubts From Former USMNT Player
Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Milan looks on during the Serie match between Parma and Milan at Stadio Ennio Tardini on Aug. 24, 2024 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
“The older you get, the slower you get, but the guy’s a genius,” Zlatan Ibrahimovic said on Fox Sports earlier. “He doesn’t need his body; he just needs to think. Just have to manipulate everybody else and put himself in those situations he needs to be.”
At the 2030 World Cup, Messi would be 43, and it would be surprising to see him continue competing at that age due to his stature. In addition to this World Cup, he had 17 seasons playing for Barcelona in La Liga, and has since been a star for the MLS’s Inter Miami, last season’s champions.
Still, one could look to plenty of players who continued to make appearances at the World Cup into their 40s, including Egypt’s Essam El-Hadary, who made history as the oldest player at 45 years, 161 days, in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
At this year’s World Cup, fellow superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is competing at 41 years, four months old, and 40-year-olds Vozinha (Cape Verde) and Manuel Neuer (Germany) are also representing their countries.
One has to think Messi will probably hang it up internationally after this year’s edition, due to having starred in six of them and won it in 2022 with Argentina. He’s already proven himself as the GOAT to many people, and there’s no need to continue trying to extend records at the risk of a terrible injury or embarrassment on the world’s stage.
More news:Lamine Yamal Scores First World Cup Goal Earlier Than Messi, Ronaldo
For more about the World Cup, visit Newsweek Sports.
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On Monday, he recorded his 17th career goal at the event, taking over the top spot for most goals scored at the World Cup by one player.
That early goal was a beautiful highlight, as Messi sped in from the center of the field to connect on the ball, sending it to the far side of the goal and out of reach of the Austrian goalkeeper. It gave Argentina the early 1-0 lead in a game they ultimately won 2-0 to qualify for the Knockout Phase.
They previously defeated Croatia to begin their play on American soil, with Messi recording a spectacular hat trick at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes watching from up in the box seats.
And while they weren’t considered the top contenders to win this year’s World Cup, the reigning champions are now beginning to spark conversations about the potential for them to repeat, thanks to their star player.
More news:Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s World Cup Claim Draws Doubts From Former USMNT Player
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Milan looks on during the Serie match between Parma and Milan at Stadio Ennio Tardini on Aug. 24, 2024 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
“The older you get, the slower you get, but the guy’s a genius,” Zlatan Ibrahimovic said on Fox Sports earlier. “He doesn’t need his body; he just needs to think. Just have to manipulate everybody else and put himself in those situations he needs to be.”
At the 2030 World Cup, Messi would be 43, and it would be surprising to see him continue competing at that age due to his stature. In addition to this World Cup, he had 17 seasons playing for Barcelona in La Liga, and has since been a star for the MLS’s Inter Miami, last season’s champions.
Still, one could look to plenty of players who continued to make appearances at the World Cup into their 40s, including Egypt’s Essam El-Hadary, who made history as the oldest player at 45 years, 161 days, in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
At this year’s World Cup, fellow superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is competing at 41 years, four months old, and 40-year-olds Vozinha (Cape Verde) and Manuel Neuer (Germany) are also representing their countries.
One has to think Messi will probably hang it up internationally after this year’s edition, due to having starred in six of them and won it in 2022 with Argentina. He’s already proven himself as the GOAT to many people, and there’s no need to continue trying to extend records at the risk of a terrible injury or embarrassment on the world’s stage.
More news:Lamine Yamal Scores First World Cup Goal Earlier Than Messi, Ronaldo
For more about the World Cup, visit Newsweek Sports.
Related Articles
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- Brazil's Marta Reacts to Lionel Messi Besting Her as All-Time World Cup Scorer
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