In Arlington, Texas, Lionel Messi came off the bench as a second-half substitute to continue his scoring streak in the World Cup. Despite limited time on the field, Messi scored his 19th World Cup goal in Argentina’s 3-1 victory over Jordan during the group stage match on Saturday night.
Celebrating his 39th birthday just days earlier, Messi scored with a free kick in the 80th minute. This brought his total free kick goals to 72, including 12 for Argentina. His international goal count now stands at 123, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 145 goals in 202 appearances.
Previously, Messi was one of the few players to have scored in six consecutive World Cup matches, joining France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil’s Jairzinho. “What you’re seeing, I’m seeing the same thing,” said Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, expressing the awe around Messi’s consistent performance.
Only six players have scored two free kick goals in World Cup history since records from 1966. This elite group includes Pelé, Rivellino, Téofilo Cubillas, Bernard Genghini, and David Beckham. Giovani Lo Celso shared his enthusiasm for Messi’s achievements, acknowledging the impact of Messi’s performance on the team.
While Messi did not start in the game against Jordan, Argentina had already secured first place in Group J. The fans at the stadium, which hosted over 70,000 pro-Argentina supporters, eagerly waited to see him play. The crowd erupted when Messi entered the field, replacing Lautaro Martinez, who also contributed with a penalty goal.
Despite his numerous accolades, including winning eight Ballon d’Or awards, Messi has never claimed the Golden Boot in a World Cup. His current position with six goals in this tournament places him ahead of prominent players Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Júnior, and Erling Haaland.
Messi had slowed down due to a hamstring injury before the World Cup while playing for Inter Miami. Nevertheless, Argentina’s path in the tournament continues, with the knockout round starting in South Florida. If Argentina reaches the final, they face five matches within 17 days.
Coach Scaloni noted, “Today he could have played 90 minutes,” indicating Messi’s readiness for future challenges while emphasizing the importance of giving other team members their chance on the field.
Leave a Reply