Lionel Messi made World Cup history Monday with a brace against Austria to lead Argentina to a 2-0 win and secure its place in the knockout round.
The effort, apparently, left him really tired.
Messi’s two goals increased his 2026 tally to a World Cup-leading five through two games. He previously accounted for all three of Argentina’s goals with an opening-round hat trick against Algeria in a 3-0 win.
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Messi’s two goals Monday also put him atop the all-time World Cup goals list with the 17th and 18th of his career. Messi entered Monday’s game in a tie on that list with Germany’s Miroslav Klose at 16 goals.
When asked after the game about his favorite of his 18 World Cup goals, the Argentine striker said this:
“I’m not sure,” Messi said, via translation. “Honestly, today, I don’t remember. Honestly, I’m tired and with low strength, and it’s difficult to think, so no.
“I’m enjoying this moment and wanting to go be with my teammates.”
So much for that.
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Messi, two days shy of 39 years old, has four days to rest before Argentina concludes play in Group J against Jordan. He’ll do so in a hotly contested race in the all-time goals race and for the Golden Boot.
France‘s Kylian Mbappé is right on his heels in both races. Mbappé scored his third and fourth goals of this World Cup on Monday to move within one of Messi in the Golden Boot race. As did Norway’s Erling Haaland.
And Mbappé, who’s 27 years old with almost certain World Cups in his future, is now up to 16 all-time World Cup goals to tie Klose and keep just two behind Messi on the all-time list.
With all that’s at stake, here’s guessing Messi will be plenty rested for Argentina’s next game on Saturday and for the knockout rounds when they come.
