Read 3 minutesUpdated: June 22, 2026 11:07 PM IST
Argentina captain Lionel Messi missed out on a golden opportunity to top the list of all-time leading goal-scorers at the FIFA World Cup. When he aimed a penalty wide in the World Cup match against Argentina against Austria. Just one goal away from breaking Miroslav Klose’s World Cup goalscoring record, Messi conceded in the 9th minute when he fouled teammate Lautaro Martinez in the opposition box.
It was Messi’s third mistake at the World Cup, having previously conceded against Iceland in 2018, Poland in 2022 and now Austria in 2026.
Last week, Messi used the front of his white-and-blue, sweat-soaked jersey to wipe tears from his eyes, cracking his usually calm, confident demeanor after giving Argentina an early lead in their World Cup opener against Algeria. Then he scored again. And again.
Suddenly, questions about Messi’s hamstring injury or whether he could help Argentina become a third consecutive World Cup were answered – even as his 39th birthday approaches next week. With a brilliant hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Les Fenix, Messi equaled Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the men’s World Cup career goalscoring record.
“My tears after the first goal? I’ve had some difficult days. They weren’t related to football. And those emotions were because of it,” Messi said later, without elaborating. “I thank my teammates, coaching staff and delegation for helping me.”
Messi scored that emotional first goal in the opening minutes on a nifty feed from Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul, the second on an opportunistic rebound early in the second half and the third on a crisp strike before the 69,045 crowd rose to their feet as the three-time World Cup champions swung hard.
“Words are at a loss about Lion. What can I say?” said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni. “He’s incredible.”