The Six Consecutive Goals That Prove Lionel Messi, 38, Is Still World Football's Undisputed King
Holy smokes, Seattle! You hear about Lionel Messi last night? Against Austria in Argentina’s second World Cup match, the man, the myth, the legend, did it again. He swept home a trademark left-footed curler, and let me tell you, it wasn't just a strong start for his squad. Our guy, at 38 years old, made history, becoming the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer! Seriously, the world thought they knew, but he’s still laying claim to that crown, proving he is the king of world football.
Messi's Unstoppable Streak and What It Means for History
And if one goal wasn't enough to get your heart racing, Messi fired home his second of the game from a ridiculously tight angle, past two Austria defenders, to seal a 2-0 victory. This dude is having a scintillating start to the tournament as Argentina defends their title. Think about it: a hat-trick in the opening game, then two goals and that record-breaking moment in the second. With a third game against Jordan still on the horizon, he’s a massive contender for the Golden Boot, that one individual prize he’s never actually won. Can you believe it?
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This isn't just a hot streak, folks. Messi has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches! That’s a feat only achieved by two other players, France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil’s Jairzinho, both back in 1958. Nobody, not a single player, has ever scored in seven straight matches. He’s also created the most chances in World Cup history, according to Opta. He’s only one assist away from providing more than anyone else since records began in 1966, currently sharing that insane record with his idol, Maradona. A new generation, your Mbappes, Haalands, and Vinicius Jrs, are making their marks, sure. But if they want that crown, they absolutely have to outperform Messi.
How Does the 38-Year-Old GOAT Still Do This?!
It’s wild, right? Messi turns 39 on Wednesday, and he’s been playing in Major League Soccer for three years now. How is he still delivering these rampant, raucous performances on the biggest stage? Back in 2018, when he was 31, Argentina was knocked out by France in a seven-goal classic in Russia. You could have sworn his days of tournament-defining World Cup performances were winding down. But nope. Four years later, he captained his country to the trophy in Qatar, scoring seven goals. And now, another four years on, he’s the first player ever to score in six consecutive World Cup matches. It’s dedication, plain and simple.
Olivier Giroud, who was part of that 2018 France side and is still playing in Ligue 1 at 39 himself, knows what Messi is going through. He says it’s all about competing with yourself, not the youngsters. "It's clear just how passionate Messi still is for football and you can tell it's in his DNA to always be a competitor, and to try and outdo himself more than anyone else," Giroud explained. He added that at their age, "you have to pay close attention to your life hygiene: how you sleep, your diet, and taking care of your body, because that's the thing you rely on for work." The real key, according to Giroud? "Still having the desire, the motivation, the passion, to keep going." We know a thing or two about grinding it out here in the Emerald City, and that kind of relentless dedication, mixed with pure self-belief, is something our 12s can definitely appreciate.
So, Argentina faces Jordan next. What’s at stake? Messi's shot at that elusive Golden Boot, breaking the seven-straight-goal record, and taking the all-time assist record for himself. Can he keep defying father time and cement his legacy even further? You bet your bottom dollar we'll be watching!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.