Lionel Messi once again proved his worth as a key figure for the Argentina national team. In a dramatic 2026 World Cup round of 32 match held at Miami Stadium on Saturday (4/7/2026), the captain successfully led La Albiceleste to a narrow 3-2 victory over Cape Verde after extra time.
This crucial victory not only secured Argentina's passage to the round of 16, but also served as the stage for Messi to set three phenomenal individual records. This achievement further cements his position in world football history as an unmatched player.
The first record achieved was solidifying his position as the all-time top goalscorer in World Cup history with a total of 20 goals. By the end of the round of 32, the Inter Miami player also led the 2026 World Cup top scorers list with seven goals, a statistic demonstrating extraordinary productivity at a mature age.
Furthermore, Messi made history as the first player to score in every single phase of the World Cup competition. Thanks to his goal against Cape Verde, he completed his collection of goals in every stage, from the group stage to the knockout rounds, which has expanded with the round of 32 format in the 2026 edition of the tournament.
The third equally impressive achievement is his status as the first player capable of scoring seven goals in two different World Cup editions. Previously, he scored seven goals in the 2022 edition when leading Argentina to the championship title. Now, with consistent performance, Messi remains the main pillar for Argentina to defend their world crown.
