Introduction
In 2016, Lionel Messi walked away from international football, heartbroken after yet another final defeat.
"For me, the national team is over. I've done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion,"he said, following a penalty miss in the Copa America final shootout against Chile. A decade later, not only has he reversed that decision, but he has led Argentina to an era of unprecedented glory, culminating in becoming the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer. On Monday, two days before his 39th birthday, Messi delivered another immortal moment, scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory over Austria to etch his name deeper into football folklore.
A Night of Records
The stage was set at the 2026 World Cup, and Messi began with a rare misstep—an eighth-minute penalty miss. But genius cannot be contained. In the 38th minute, he rifled a low shot into the net to score his 17th World Cup goal, surpassing Miroslav Klose for the outright record. Deep into stoppage time, he added an 18th, squeezing the ball home from an improbable angle.
"We don't have time to create statues for Lionel Messi or deep analysis for him in newspapers. We cannot keep pace,"exclaimed Spanish journalist Guillem Balague on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Messi has now scored all five of Argentina’s goals in this tournament, leading the Golden Boot race. He is only the third player ever to score in six consecutive World Cup matches, after Just Fontaine and Jairzinho. Remarkably, 12 of his 18 World Cup goals have come after his 35th birthday, a testament to his enduring brilliance and masterful understanding of his own body.
The Renaissance of a Legend
Messi’s international retirement in 2016 seemed final, but the pain of defeat fueled an extraordinary comeback. Since then, he has won two Copa America titles and, famously, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, scoring seven goals including a brace in the final. His leadership transformed Argentina into champions, ending a 36-year wait for the trophy. Now, in 2026, he is chasing back-to-back World Cup crowns, a feat achieved only by Brazil (1958-1962) and Italy (1934-1938).
After the Austria match, a smiling Messi said:
"I enjoy playing and having a good time on the pitch. We enjoy seeing the people like this too, being able to give them this kind of joy."Balague noted that Messi “is enjoying it” and suggested we might even see him in four years’ time. Whether or not that happens, this World Cup is already a parade of records for the Argentine maestro.
Key Takeaways
- Record-breaker: Messi’s 18 World Cup goals move him past Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer in tournament history.
- Defying age: At nearly 39, Messi has scored five goals in two games, showing no signs of slowing down.
- Golden Boot charge: He leads the race for the Golden Boot, ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
- Argentina’s engine: He has scored every goal for Argentina in the 2026 World Cup so far, underlining his indispensability.
- Immortal legacy: From retirement to rewriting history, Messi’s journey is a story of resilience and genius.
Quick Facts
Match: Argentina 2-0 Austria
Date: 22 June 2026
Messi’s goals: 2 (38', 90+2')
World Cup goals total: 18 in 28 matches
Tournament goals (2026): 5
Record surpassed: Miroslav Klose (16 goals)
Consecutive scoring streak: 6 World Cup matches
Age: 38 (39 on 24 June)
Source: BBC Sport
