Maybe one day Kylian Mbappé will surpass him. But the period between Messi’s historic evening and the day when someone eventually deposes him will be a reward in itself for this almost thirty-nine-year-old colossus.
A legend among legends. A myth among myths. He was not passed by Jordi Alba (it was a rule in the best times), but by Facundo Medina. It was not in the jersey of Barcelona, but of Argentina. It was not at the Camp Nou, but in the United States of America.
But Messi remained Messi. A goal was scored that he had scored countless times.
A pass to the full back, a cross towards the edge of the penalty area and Messi’s run from the second wave.
With three unconverted penalties, he is also the player who missed the most penalty kicks in the history of the World Cup. Messi thus collects records of all kinds.
Some are extraordinary and admirable. And some will forever remind him that even gods make mistakes sometimes.
“I was angry about the penalty because I dropped it and I kicked it very badly,” Leo admitted.
If everything worked out for him in the match, he could have scored five goals.
Argentina lulls and then kills
The Argentinians seemed to put the opponent to sleep with a slow passing game. Some would say they play like old men. But it’s a tactic.
Teach the opponent to sneak and then send a quick vertical pass.
Group J program for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The Austrians had more of the game at times, but Argentina didn’t let them have any great chances. Although the reigning world champions did not overpower the opponent in possession, they could have easily won with a difference of two classes.
The victory was again born from the transition phase. Few teams in the world can convert defense into attack so effectively.
Lionel Messi. (Author: Press Agency SR/AP)
And when Lionel Messi is in the equation, everything seems to be easier. All he needs is oriented ball processing, peripheral vision and a single technical detail.
The whole perspective of the game is reversed. It is practically indefensible for the opponent. Austria felt exactly the same way.
Coach Lionel Scaloni has built a team that works exactly this way. Players automatically complete actions, engage in transition and create numerical superiority.
Midfielders do it. Full backs do it. Medina reminded Jordi Alba of Messi’s Barcelona days with the first goal.
It is Argentina that flies with Messi. And it doesn’t matter if he walks or runs.
Sixty thousand Argentines in ecstasy
The stands exploded. More than 60,000 Argentinians – or the fans who quietly mingled among them – erupted into euphoria. They witnessed a day that will be remembered forever.
Leo was able to do more than just become an unforgettable football player. As if time did not concern him.
As if it wasn’t true that he has been playing the World Cup for two decades. As if this was his first tournament. He saved the second goal for the end.
Lionel Messi. (Author: Press Agency SR/AP)
The counterattack that he himself founded, led and finally finished.
Another historical moment. If anyone still doubts that.
We are witnessing the legend of all legends.
We must appreciate that we have it
“It gives us peace before what awaits us. This is the World Cup, everything is very balanced and intense. That’s why we are happy to have six points and already the certainty of progress,” said Messi.
He did not want to talk about the record.
“I don’t even know. I’m tired, I don’t have much energy and it’s hard for me to think. I’m enjoying this moment and I’m looking forward to living it with my teammates.”
He answered the question about five goals in two games:
“It worked out fantastically. I had a penalty today to add to my tally, but then maybe the other goals wouldn’t have come. You never know. I’m happy for the whole team.”
How did teammates react?
Curiosities
He turns thirty-nine tomorrow and his numbers after two games at the World Cup are insane. Argentina scored five goals and all five were scored by Messi. Nevertheless, only one man got ahead of him in one statistic.
He was the legendary Hungarian Sándor Kocsis. At the World Cup in 1954, he scored an incredible seven goals in the opening two duels. He first scored a hat trick in a 9-0 triumph over South Korea and then added four more hits in an 8-3 demolition of West Germany.
With his five goals, Messi is behind only the only footballer in the history of the world championships.
And as if football loves such symbols, exactly on the day, exactly forty years ago, Diego Maradona experienced his immortal evening against England at the World Cup. God’s hand. Goal of the century. A performance that will be forever etched in football mythology.
Four decades later, the world remembered again why Argentina gave football two geniuses. Maradona became a cult. Messi a record holder. And both confirmed that some football stories are simply bigger than the game itself.
“He is alone at the top. I can’t find the words. I feel huge emotions and pride that he is Argentine. We have to appreciate that we have him,” declared Lisandro Martínez.
“We were fair winners. We played very smartly.”
Leandro Paredes added: “It’s a privilege for us. We try to enjoy it every day, in every training session and in every game.”
And Julián Álvarez just shrugged his shoulders:
“There’s not much to add. We all see it. He’s the best player in the world.”
He is looking for a replacement for the irreplaceable
A message came from Barcelona, where he lived the most famous times on the club scene.
“Fix that mistake and sign Messi!” said Albert Masnou, deputy editor-in-chief of the daily SPORT.
According to him, Barcelona are looking for a striker for next season and are interested in Julián Álvarez, another Argentine. He is considering paying 160 million euros for him. However, on the same day, Álvarez wasted a great chance, while Messi rewrote history with two goals against Austria.
Masnou reminds that Joan Laporta let go for free in 2021 a player whom many consider irreplaceable today.
“Since his departure, Messi has not stopped proving that he belongs to another dimension,” writes the commentator.
Meanwhile, Barcelona was spending tens of millions of euros. Ferran Torres, Robert Lewandowski or other reinforcements were supposed to fill the empty place after Messi.
Meanwhile, Messi was doing what he does best throughout his career. He rewrote football history.
He will be thirty-nine years old tomorrow. After two matches at the World Cup, he has five goals.
Argentina scored five goals. And all five were scored by Messi himself.
World Cup in football 2026 – group J
Name of the countryState
Z
V
R
P
The score
B
Form
Z = Matches, V = Wins, R = Draws, P = Losses, B = Points
