Lionel Messi achieved a historic feat by scoring in seven consecutive FIFA World Cup matches, a first in the tournament’s history. During Argentina’s final group game against Jordan at Dallas Stadium, Messi, coming off the bench, secured a victory with a remarkable free-kick, extending both Argentina’s lead and his own scoring record.
Argentina fielded a World Cup starting XI without Messi for the first time since June 2006, highlighting the striker’s absence. The 39-year-old footballer solidified his legacy by netting an 80th-minute free-kick, marking his seventh successive World Cup goal and increasing his all-time finals record to 19, surpassing other top contenders in the Golden Boot race.
Messi’s impressive streak began at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he scored in the Round of 16 match. He continued his scoring spree with penalties in the quarter-final and semi-final games, culminating in a remarkable performance in the final. His outstanding achievements in this tournament have solidified his status as the leading men’s goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history.
As Messi embarks on his sixth FIFA World Cup campaign, he stands out as the first men’s player to participate in six editions of the prestigious tournament. With Argentina advancing to the knockout rounds, Messi has the opportunity to further extend his record on the global football stage.
