In Arlington, Texas, Lionel Messi added another achievement to his illustrious career. Despite limited playing time, he became the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup games. As a second-half substitute, Messi contributed to Argentina’s 3-1 victory over Jordan with his 19th World Cup goal.
The match took place shortly after Messi’s 39th birthday. His free kick in the 80th minute, resulting from a foul just outside the penalty area, slid past Jordan’s defense into the net. This marked his 72nd career free kick goal and 12th for Argentina. His international goal tally reached 123, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 145.
Messi joined the ranks of Just Fontaine and Jairzinho as the only players to score in six consecutive World Cup matches. Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, expressed his awe saying, “What you’re seeing, I’m seeing the same thing. It’s a little bit of an uncomfortable situation every single time people ask because I no longer know what to say.”
Messi had previously scored a free kick in the 2014 World Cup against Nigeria. Since 1966, only six players have scored two free kick goals in the tournament, including Messi, Pelé, Rivellino, Téofilo Cubillas, Bernard Genghini, and David Beckham.
Giovani Lo Celso, the first Argentine other than Messi to score in this tournament, expressed his excitement, saying, “The truth is that seeing him every day excites, excites and infects a lot. So obviously seeing him like that for us is very important.” Lo Celso netted his goal from a free kick in the 19th minute.
Because Argentina had already secured the top spot in Group J, Messi did not start. The game held no impact on the knockout stages, given that Jordan was already eliminated. Despite this, the 70,649 fans at the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys stadium eagerly awaited Messi’s appearance. Enthusiastic chants began in the second half, reaching a peak when he entered the field in the 60th minute, replacing Lautaro Martinez. Martinez had scored Argentina’s first-half penalty.
Though Messi is an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, his golden boot for the top World Cup scorer remains elusive. This tournament is his sixth appearance, and he now leads the competition with six goals, ahead of Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Júnior, and Erling Haaland.
Messi previously had a minor hamstring injury while with Inter Miami, which affected his World Cup preparation. Looking forward, Argentina’s knockout games begin in South Florida, marking the start of a potential five-match track to the final. Messi’s restraint from playing the full match was strategic, focusing on upcoming challenges.
The coach, Scaloni, noted, “Today he could have played 90 minutes. He wanted his teammates to have time on the pitch and to save himself also for what’s coming up now. He doesn’t think so much about the numbers that people are talking about.”