Argentina captain Lionel Messi reacts after scoring objective throughout their FIFA World Cup 2026 match in opposition to Austria right here on the Dallas stadium in Arlington on June 22, 2026. — Reuters
Lionel Messi grew to become the main scorer in World Cup historical past when the Argentina captain netted in opposition to Austria on Monday to take his complete to 17 objectives.
Messi had equalled Miroslav Klose’s all-time mark of 16 World Cup objectives when hitting a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria to open his nation’s title defence in North America final week.
He made it 17 when he swept dwelling after 38 minutes in Argentina’s second group sport, to deafening roars on the dwelling of the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas.
The 38-year-old had missed a penalty earlier within the sport.
Messi is enjoying at his sixth World Cup, his first coming in 2006 and he now has 121 objectives in 201 video games for his nation.
His enduring high quality augurs effectively for Argentina’s hopes of turning into the primary staff since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cup titles.
Messi was tearful after his first objective in opposition to Algeria, and it later emerged that his father is recovering from an unspecified well being difficulty.
Regardless of his private travails and a troubled build-up due to a hamstring niggle, Messi’s mere presence evokes his teammates.
“If anyone thought this group was better off without Leo, today it became clear that Leo is the most important of them all,” stated midfielder Alexis Mac Allister after the win in opposition to Algeria.
Inter Miami attacker Messi had not even dedicated to enjoying the event in North America till the final second.
However no person realistically anticipated him to be absent from spearheading Argentina’s title defence.
The previous Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain wizard dragged his nation to World Cup glory 4 years in the past, and the lure of representing his nation as soon as once more on the most important stage proved irresistible.
Argentina can qualify for the subsequent spherical with a victory over Austria and could be assured of ending prime of Group J if Jordan fail to beat Algeria in a while Monday.
After former Germany ahead Klose, subsequent on the all-time listing is Brazilian nice Ronaldo, with 15 objectives, one forward of Gerd Muller and present France star Kylian Mbappe.
