The announcers covering Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria in today’s World Cup soccer match struggled to find the right words to describe Argentinian legend, Lionel Messi. Somehow, the words GOAT, greatest, or the best just did not seem adequate. For Messi (La Pulga, i.e., The Flea), just steps away from his 39th birthday, broke another legendary record today. With his goal in the first half of Argentina’s Group J clinching game, he broke Germany’s Miroslav Klose’s World Cup record for most all-time goals.

Messi scored his record 17th goal in the 38th minute of today’s match off a pass from teammate Facundo Medina. He would add number 18 in the second half, giving him five goals for this year’s tournament. With his goals, he also tied France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil’s Jairzinho for most consecutive World Cup games with a goal (6).

Messi and Argentina Seek a Repeat

As the 2026 World Cup approached, Messi and Argentina set out to tie one of the most elusive team records in all of sports. After their Cup title in 2022, their goal was to repeat as champions. The record book was stacked against them. Only Italy in 1938 and Brazil in 1962 have ever repeated as champions. There is great emotion for the Argentinian side as this is likely La Pulga’s final World Cup. And there was added pressure, as he was forced to miss his final pre-Cup match against Honduras due to muscle fatigue.

Odds makers for the 2026 World Cup did not choose Argentina as the prohibitive favorite despite being the defending champs. Spain, with 18-year-old wunderkind Lamine Yamal, was thought to have the most talented team. Next on the list was France, with the fabulous Kylian Mbappé leading the way. And England, looking for their first World Cup Championship since 1966, was the third choice of the betting community. Messi and Argentina fell behind these three.

Something to Prove

So, Argentina entered the 2026 World Cup with a bit of a chip on its shoulder. But just as there were doubts about Argentina’s ability to repeat, Messi had his own doubts about his fitness for the 2026 World Cup. The following is part of an interview he gave to Diario Sport in November of last year, in which he discussed his concerns about the upcoming Cup.

“Obviously, I’m excited; a World Cup is special, and it’s special to play with the National Team in important competitions, especially after having won it. “I don’t want to be a burden; I want to feel good physically and be sure that I can help and contribute to the group. Our season is different from Europe’s; we’ll have a preseason, a few matches before the World Cup, and I’ll see day by day if I feel good enough to be there the way I’d like to be.”

Start with a Bang

All eyes were on Messi when Argentina opened up Group play against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City. Avid soccer fans were looking to see if La Pulga had lost a step or showed any signs of wear and tear. They did not have to wait too long for their answer when, in the 17th minute, he blasted a ball in the top corner off a pass from Rodrigo De Paul for a 1-0 Argentinian lead. Next, he knocked in a rebound in the 60th minute to put his team up by two goals.

Finally, in the 75th minute, Messi laced one into the left corner for his first World Cup hat trick and a tie with Klose for most goals ever in World Cup play.  His effort also saw him join Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo as the only players to have scored in five World Cups. He and Ronaldo also hold the record for the most World Cup tournaments played, with six.

What’s Next

Messi and Argentina next play on June 27 against Jordan. This contest has no bearing on the team’s next Cup match, as they clinched their Group championship today with the win over Austria. After that, their Round of 32 match will be on July 3 in Miami, against the runner-up of Group H. Their opponent will likely be the upstart Cape Verde, the Cinderella story of this World Cup.

Whoever they play, Messi will be up to the challenge. There is nothing that the Greatest Player of All-Time wants more than to end his World Cup career with back-to-back titles. Here’s hoping that La Pulga gets his wish.