Lionel Messi has once again etched his name into the annals of World Cup history, achieving a remarkable milestone while simultaneously adding an unwanted record to his legacy. The 38-year-old Argentine superstar showcased his enduring talent by netting a hat-trick in Argentina’s impressive 3-0 victory over Algeria in their World Cup opener.
On Monday, Messi was back in action as the defending champions faced off against Austria in Arlington. The excitement was palpable when he had a golden opportunity to break the all-time World Cup scoring record early in the match after Lautaro Martinez was brought down in the box. After a prolonged VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty, giving Messi the chance to surpass Germany’s Miroslav Klose, with whom he shares the record of 16 goals.
However, the moment took a disappointing turn as Messi sent his penalty kick wide of the mark, inadvertently setting a record he would prefer to avoid. With this miss, he became the player with the most penalty misses in World Cup history, having now failed to convert three spot-kicks outside of shootouts.
Despite the early setback, Messi quickly rebounded, putting Argentina ahead in the 39th minute with a stunning finish. This goal not only marked his 17th in World Cup play but also crowned him the tournament’s all-time leading scorer. It was a significant achievement, considering he has now scored 121 goals for Argentina, far surpassing the legendary Gabriel Batistuta, who holds the second spot with 56.
The second half saw Messi extend his record further, as he netted his 18th World Cup goal, sealing a 2-0 victory for his team. However, the earlier penalty miss against Austria now places him ahead of Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan in the record books for missed penalties at the World Cup.
Gyan had previously missed two penalties during his World Cup appearances, while Messi’s three misses have come from a total of seven attempts, making him the player with the most penalty attempts in World Cup history. Interestingly, no player besides Messi and Gyan has missed more than one penalty at the tournament, although several others are close behind.
As fans reflect on this latest chapter in Messi’s storied career, one can’t help but wonder how this legendary player will continue to shape his legacy as the World Cup progresses. What more surprises does this tournament hold for the football icon?
