Lionel Messi has delivered another landmark performance at the FIFA World Cup, scoring twice to lead Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Austria and further cement his place in tournament history.

The Argentine captain’s latest achievement adds to a remarkable international career that once appeared to have ended prematurely. A decade ago, after Argentina’s defeat in the 2016 Copa América final, Messi announced his retirement from international football, citing repeated disappointments on the global stage. He later reversed that decision, a turning point that has since defined the most successful phase of his national team career.

In the latest World Cup match on June 23, 2026, Messi missed an early penalty but recovered strongly to score two decisive goals—one in open play and another in added time. The performance took his World Cup goal tally to 18, making him one of the highest scorers in the tournament’s history.

With this feat, Messi also became only the third player in history to score in six consecutive World Cup matches, underlining his longevity and consistency at the highest level of international football.

Now days away from his 39th birthday, Messi’s continued impact on Argentina’s campaign has further strengthened his legacy as one of football’s most influential figures.

Also read : FIFA World Cup: Nora Fatehi’s Match Prediction Goes Viral After Morocco’s Win