DALLAS — Each time Lionel Messi touched the ball, there was an unmistakable anticipation in the air, as if the entire stadium was ready for a historic moment. Fans at Dallas Stadium erupted when Messi seized possession in Austria’s half during the 38th minute. Just seconds later, his powerful left-footed shot flew past goalkeeper Alexander Schlager, igniting a wave of cheers and chants throughout the arena.
The crowd sang “Messi, Messi,” bowing in unison to honor their captain as he etched his name in the record books, surpassing Germany’s Miroslav Klose to become the all-time leading scorer in men’s World Cup history. Even his teammates were momentarily in disbelief, exchanging awestruck looks while embracing Messi in celebration of his 17th World Cup goal—one that coincided with a significant date in Argentina’s rich soccer legacy.
Remarkably, he broke the record almost 20 years to the day since he netted his first World Cup goal in 2006 against Serbia and Montenegro. Even more noteworthy was that it marked 40 years since Diego Maradona’s legendary “Hand of God” goal, which helped Argentina clinch the 1986 World Cup. However, Messi wasn’t finished; he added a second goal during injury time, surpassing Brazilian star Marta to become the top scorer in the history of both men’s and women’s World Cups.
In the ongoing debate about the greatest of all time, Messi firmly made his case in Dallas, solidifying Argentina’s advancement to the round of 32 after scoring all five of the team’s goals in this World Cup so far—a feat that is nothing short of extraordinary.
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Argentina needed Messi’s brilliance, particularly after struggling against Austria’s defense. Just minutes into the match, he had an excellent chance to break the record when Lautaro Martínez was awarded a penalty after being fouled. The moment was electric as Messi prepared to take the penalty, but shockingly, his shot veered wide of the goal, leading to stunned silence in the stadium.
Media reports quickly reflected the disbelief as they noted Messi’s penalty miss—three missed penalties in seven World Cup attempts, excluding shootouts—adding an unexpected tension to the match that left Argentina fans uncertain. However, the reigning champions regained their composure, turning the tide soon after the hydration break.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised Messi’s influence on the team: “When [Messi] gets fired up, everyone gets fired up. Even when the team was struggling, he was committed. He brings something special.” After the game, Messi expressed a mix of frustration and relief, acknowledging his missed penalty but pleased that the team found a way to win.
Throughout Messi’s illustrious career—from his first World Cup goal in 2006 to his 17th in 2026—he has continued to shine on the biggest stage. Dallas Stadium even showcased a montage of his 16 previous World Cup goals before kickoff, setting the stage for an unforgettable day.
With this victory, Argentina has secured two wins in two matches, relying once again on Messi’s prowess to lead them forward.
“He’s impressive—what he does and how he delivers every game is remarkable,” teammate Lisandro Martínez said. The win solidified Argentina’s place in the round of 32, and with Messi showing no signs of slowing down as he nears his 39th birthday, fans are beginning to dream of yet another World Cup triumph. Significantly, 12 of Messi’s 18 goals have come after turning 35, further solidifying his extraordinary legacy.
At the end of the match, the 70,000 fans in attendance cheered as Messi took a celebratory lap around “Jerry World,” the stadium named after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. However, given Messi’s historic performance, perhaps it’s time to consider renaming the venue to “Messi World.”