Ten years ago in 2016, Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football after losing the Copa America final.
At that time, Argentina was always facing big defeats and Messi decided to leave the national team and showed great frustration.
However, after reconsidering his decision, he returned and this decision became the most memorable point of his career.
Now, just two days before his 39th birthday, Messi has achieved another historic milestone by scoring two goals in a World Cup match against Austria.
Messi scored both goals in Argentina’s 0-2 victory and became the best goal scorer in World Cup history.
He missed a penalty early in the match but then made a brilliant comeback to score a beautiful goal and then another in extra time to take his World Cup tally to 18.
🚨 READ: Lionel Messi scores goals and becomes the highest scorer in the history of the FIFA World Cup. 🔥 🐐
A historic moment for Argentina. 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/Z2DiVZonuJ
– World Cup 2026 (@WorldCupMedia_) June 22, 2026
With this idea, he broke the record of former German player Miroslav Klose.
Lionel Messi broke the goals record #FIFAWorldCup 💫 pic.twitter.com/JqUCGxomAF
– FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 22, 2026
Messi has scored 18 goals in 28 games of the World Cup so far and all five goals of Argentina in this tournament are in his name.
El segundo de messi es un gol stratosférico, no por lo que es, por lo que representation.
Ganando 1-0, minuto 95, 39 anos, a la contra, corriendo 40 metro, hace un pase brutal a un compañero, este lo falla, messi la recibe, regatea y falla, en vez de quejarse se tira como un loco… pic.twitter.com/aUXb2cv8K9
— Ivan Abad (@NetMentorTW) June 22, 2026
In addition, he became only the third footballer in the world to score in six consecutive World Cup matches.
Experts and former players say that Messi’s football intelligence, fitness and understanding of the game are still exceptional today.
Even after making Argentina the world champion in 2022, he continues to set new records, after the debate of his declaration as the greatest player in the history of football has intensified.
