Lionel Messi, at a staggering 39 years old, is absolutely carving up the World Cup, racking up eight goals in just five matches and proving once again why he remains in a league of his own. This isn't just a good run, it's a historic one, with Messi sitting right behind France's Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race, even having played one less game. It’s wild to think about, but the man just keeps delivering at an age where most players are long retired from the international stage.
The "Machine" Keeps Delivering
Argentina's coach, Lionel Scaloni, isn't even a little surprised by Messi's insane physical condition. He's said it countless times: Messi will be the best player in the world for as long as he chooses to play. And honestly, who's going to argue with him right now? Messi just became the leading scorer in World Cup history, with a ridiculous 21 goals across his career. Remember that dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in the round of 16? Messi was the architect, netting once and providing an assist to Cristian Romero when his side was down 2-0 with just 11 minutes left on the clock. He arrived at his sixth World Cup campaign with whispers about his fitness after battling a muscle strain, but those whispers have been absolutely silenced. Scaloni summed it up perfectly: "Leo runs more or less the same in every match." He also added, "What is clear is that he’s giving everything he has. When he gives everything he has and senses that he can create danger, he is a machine." That's the G.O.A.T. for you.No Stopping Him, Even With Missed Chances
You want to talk about "what if" scenarios? Messi’s numbers could be even more unbelievable if he hadn’t missed two penalties in the tournament, one against Egypt and another versus Austria. But Scaloni isn't even thinking about taking spot-kick duties away from his captain. "It wouldn’t even cross my mind to go and tell him not to," Scaloni stated firmly. "Let him do whatever he wants. We have players who can take them, but he’ll take it if he wants to, and if not, that’s up to him. Let him do whatever he wants out on the pitch." It’s that kind of trust and freedom that makes him so dangerous. Scaloni clearly believes anyone expecting age to catch up with Messi just doesn't know him well enough, repeating his mantra that as long as Messi wants to play, he will be the best. Argentina's path forward is clear: a quarterfinal clash with Switzerland this Saturday in Kansas City. Switzerland earned their spot by eliminating Colombia on penalties after a goalless draw, reaching the last eight for the first time in 72 years. Scaloni isn't underestimating them, calling them a "very good team" with "World Cup tradition, experienced players and are physically strong." If Messi can keep this "machine" going and Argentina pulls off the win, they could be looking at a semifinal showdown against either England or Norway. Can the G.O.A.T. defy Father Time yet again and lead his squad deeper into the tournament? We're about to find out!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.