18 Goals! Lionel Messi, Almost 39, Broke the World Cup Scoring Record, and His Emotional Reveal Is a Stunner

You guys, you AREN'T going to believe this! Lionel Messi, the absolute GOAT, dropped a history-making performance at the World Cup that had fans in Texas going absolutely WILD. Seriously, if you weren't watching, you MISSED IT. At almost 39 years old, the Argentina captain carved his name even deeper into the history books on Monday, June 22, slamming home two goals against Austria to not only secure a huge 2-0 victory but also shatter the all-time Men's World Cup scoring record with a mind-blowing 18 goals! This isn't just a win, folks, this is LEGENDARY stuff unfolding right before our eyes.

The GOAT Breaks ALL the Records

This man, Messi, is playing out of his mind. The 2-0 win over Austria went down at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and trust me, it was a battle. After the match, Messi told everyone, "Beyond anything I'm so happy for the win." He knew it was massive, adding, "It was huge, tough and difficult. It would allow us to be relaxed to what’s ahead." Relaxed? With Messi on the field, that's not exactly the vibe you get, but you feel his joy. He also noted that "All matches in this World Cup are very even, very intense. I’m enjoying this moment and craving to enjoy with my teammates." And why wouldn't he? He's making history, scoring goal after goal. He's now firmly in the Golden Boot conversation, battling it out with France's Kylian Mbappé and Norway's Erling Haaland, who both have four goals so far in Group play. The

Trade on Every Game with Kalshi

Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.

tournament is just getting spicy!

More Than Just Goals, Messi's Deeply Personal Struggle

But listen, there's more to this story than just record-breaking goals. Just days before his heroics against Austria, Messi scored a hat trick, three incredible goals, against Algeria at Kansas City Stadium. Argentina absolutely dominated that opening 2026 World Cup match on Tuesday, June 16, winning 3-0. After that game, Messi actually got emotional and explained why he cried. He said, "Why did I cry? It was something completely unrelated to football. I went through some difficult days." He didn't forget his squad though, adding, "But I'm grateful to the entire delegation and my teammates because they were always by my side, giving me a lot of strength to help me get through it." Two days later, his family released a statement confirming that his 68-year-old father, Jorge, was undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness. The family confirmed Jorge "is currently under medical observation, recovering and progressing favorably within his current condition." You can't even imagine the weight on this man's shoulders, still out there delivering pure magic. So, what's next? Argentina's 2-0 win over Austria puts them in a strong position, and with Messi playing like this, anything feels possible for the boys in blue and white. You know the whole world is watching to see if he can take home that Golden Boot, especially with Mbappé and Haaland right on his heels. Get ready, fans, because this World Cup run with Messi at the helm is shaping up to be truly unforgettable.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.