Messi becomes second World Cup scorer behind Ronaldo
Lionel Messi achieved the distinction of being the second player to score in five World Cups, providing defending champion Argentina with an early 1-0 advantage against Algeria on Tuesday night. In his record sixth appearance in the tournament, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner identified a gap in the Algerian defence and effortlessly surpassed custodian Luca Zidane, marking his 14th World Cup goal. This achievement sent the blue-and-white-clad crowd at Arrowhead Stadium into a state of euphoria. Moments earlier, Messi’s goal was ruled out due to an offside infraction.
Messi joins Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal as the sole players to have scored in five World Cups. Ronaldo achieved the distinction of being the first in 2022 and is poised to participate in his sixth World Cup on Wednesday. Miroslav Klose of Germany holds the record for World Cup goals with 16, one ahead of Brazil great Ronaldo. Messi’s recent highlight has positioned him in a tie for third place on the career list alongside Kylian Mbappe, who netted two goals in France’s 3-1 victory over Senegal earlier on Tuesday, as well as Gerd Muller of West Germany. The goal arrived precisely two decades after Messi’s inaugural World Cup appearance for Argentina, which took place in a match against Serbia and Montenegro.
Messi, approaching his 39th birthday next week, has been managing a minor hamstring injury that has hindered his performance with Inter Miami in the lead-up to the World Cup. He experienced no difficulties during a recent tuneup against Iceland, successfully converting a penalty kick while participating for 20 minutes. Messi’s participation in the match against Algeria marked the 200th milestone of his international career, which commenced in 2005 when he was just 18 years old. The only players with a higher tally are Portugal’s Ronaldo, who is set to participate in his 229th match on Wednesday against Congo, and Bader al-Mutawa, who reached his 202nd appearance for Kuwait in 2002. Messi-mania has taken hold of Kansas City following Argentina’s arrival.
On match day, thousands of fans donned his No. 10 jersey as they made their way to the home of the NFL’s Chiefs on the outskirts of Kansas City. Meanwhile, at a watch party in the downtown Power & Light District, a real-life goat made an appearance alongside former NFL quarterback and current Fox broadcaster Jameis Winston, both donning the same blue-and-white Argentina jersey. The assertion that Messi is soccer’s GOAT – greatest of all time – is increasingly losing its status as a debate with each World Cup goal he scores.
