Lionel Messi is one goal away from becoming the greatest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history as Argentina prepared to face Austria on Monday.
The 39-year-old forward matched Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals after scoring a hat-trick in Argentina’s impressive 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening Group J match.
Messi’s first goal was an emotional moment for the Argentina star, who celebrated with tears after finding the net. The reaction came during a difficult period for the captain, with his father recovering from an unspecified health issue and Messi having dealt with a hamstring problem before the tournament.
Despite those challenges, Messi’s influence on the team remained clear. His teammates insisted his leadership and presence continued to make Argentina stronger.
“If anyone thought this group was better off without Leo, today it became clear that Leo is the most important of them all,” midfielder Alexis Mac Allister said after the win.
Rodrigo De Paul also praised Messi’s impact beyond his goals, explaining: “It’s an advantage to have Leo, because of how he manages the group and drives it forward. He doesn’t pay attention to individual records. He prioritises the team.”
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni highlighted the global appeal of watching Messi perform on the biggest stage.
“Everyone in soccer wants to watch him and enjoys it,” Scaloni said.
Messi insisted his motivation remained focused on helping Argentina succeed rather than chasing personal achievements.
“Now I want to be here more than ever because after having spent so many years suffering, today we are experiencing a special moment that I have never experienced with the Argentine national team,” he said.
The forward added that World Cup success was never guaranteed, saying: “A World Cup is very difficult – any team can trouble you.”
A victory against Austria would send Argentina into the next round and secure top spot in Group J if Jordan failed to beat Algeria later on Monday.
