New York: Argentina captain Lionel Messi stands on the brink of football history as the defending champions prepare to face Austria in their second Group J match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday, June 22. The legendary forward is just one goal away from becoming the outright highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history, adding another milestone to his remarkable career.
Messi enters the contest in sensational form after producing a memorable hat-trick in Argentina’s opening match against Algeria. The three-goal performance took his overall World Cup tally to 16 goals, drawing him level with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose at the top of the all-time scoring charts.
A goal against Austria would see Messi move ahead of Klose and claim sole ownership of one of the most prestigious records in international football.
Messi continues to rewrite history
Since making his FIFA World Cup debut in Germany in 2006, Messi has featured in every edition of the tournament. Over two decades, he has established himself as one of the greatest footballers the sport has ever seen.
The Argentine superstar finally achieved his ultimate international dream in 2022 when he led Argentina to World Cup glory after a dramatic final victory over France. That triumph cemented his place among football’s immortals and completed a glittering collection of major honours.
Now, four years later, Messi remains at the heart of Argentina’s ambitions as they seek to defend their title successfully.
If Argentina retain the World Cup crown, they will become only the third nation in history to achieve the feat. No team has successfully defended the trophy in the 21st century, making the challenge even more significant.
Dominant start for Argentina
Argentina began their World Cup campaign in impressive fashion with a convincing victory over Algeria.
Messi stole the headlines with his hat-trick, showcasing the same composure and finishing ability that have defined his career. The performance helped Argentina move to the top of Group J and strengthened their position as one of the favourites to win the tournament.
Coach Lionel Scaloni’s side displayed attacking fluency and defensive discipline throughout the match, sending an early warning to their rivals.
With Austria next on the schedule, Argentina have an opportunity to take a significant step towards qualification for the knockout rounds.
Ronaldo faces contrasting fortunes
While Messi enjoyed a dream start to the tournament, long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo endured a frustrating outing in Portugal’s opening match against DR Congo.
The Portuguese captain failed to find the net despite getting several opportunities. Ronaldo missed a number of clear chances and managed only three shots on target during the contest.
He also struggled to maintain possession in key moments, losing the ball on multiple occasions as Portugal were held to a disappointing draw.
The contrasting performances have once again fuelled comparisons between two of football’s greatest icons, with Messi currently enjoying the stronger start to the World Cup campaign.
Klose backs Messi to break record
Interestingly, Miroslav Klose himself has expressed support for Messi’s pursuit of the record.
Ahead of Argentina’s World Cup campaign, the former Germany international acknowledged that his record would eventually be surpassed and stated that he would be happy to see Messi become the new holder.
Klose noted that the expanded format of the tournament provides players with more opportunities to score goals, making it increasingly likely that longstanding records will be challenged.
More importantly, he described himself as a long-time admirer of Messi and praised the Argentine’s extraordinary talent and influence on the game.
The German legend also spoke warmly about Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni, recalling their time together at Lazio and describing the coach as a close friend.
Austria stand in Argentina’s way
Although much of the attention is focused on Messi’s record chase, Austria will be determined to spoil the celebrations.
Austria began their campaign with an encouraging victory over Jordan and remain firmly in contention for a place in the knockout stages. Another positive result against Argentina would significantly boost their qualification hopes.
The European side possess a disciplined defensive structure and will aim to frustrate Argentina’s star-studded attack.
However, stopping Messi has proven difficult throughout his career, particularly when he is chasing history.
A chance for another iconic moment
Messi’s career has been defined by landmark achievements, from becoming Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer to winning multiple Ballon d’Or awards and lifting the World Cup trophy.
The opportunity to become the leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history represents another chapter in that extraordinary journey.
At 39 years old, Messi continues to perform at the highest level, proving that age has done little to diminish his quality or influence.
Conclusion
As Argentina prepare for a crucial Group J clash against Austria, all eyes will be on Lionel Messi. One goal is all that separates the Argentine captain from becoming the outright highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history.
Whether the milestone arrives against Austria or later in the tournament, Messi appears destined to add yet another record to his legendary career. For now, Argentina supporters will hope their captain can deliver another magical performance and guide the reigning champions closer to the knockout stages.