KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Lionel Messi etched his name deeper into World Cup history on Tuesday night, becoming the second player to score in five different editions of the tournament. His early goal gave defending champion Argentina a 1-0 lead over Algeria in a Group J match at Arrowhead Stadium.
Making his record sixth World Cup appearance, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner found a gap in the Algerian defense and calmly slotted past goalkeeper Luca Zidane for his 14th World Cup goal. The strike sent the blue-and-white-clad crowd into a frenzy.
Moments earlier, Messi had a goal disallowed for offside. But he did not have to wait long to make his mark, joining Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo as the only players with goals in five World Cups. Ronaldo first achieved the feat in 2022 and is set to play in his sixth World Cup on Wednesday.
Chasing History
Miroslav Klose of Germany holds the all-time record for World Cup goals with 16, one ahead of Brazil's Ronaldo. Messi's latest goal pulled him into a tie for third on the career list with France's Kylian Mbappé — who scored twice in France's 3-1 win over Senegal earlier Tuesday — and West Germany's Gerd Muller.
The goal came exactly 20 years after Messi made his World Cup debut for Argentina against Serbia and Montenegro.
Overcoming Injury Concerns
Messi, who turns 39 next week, had been dealing with a minor hamstring injury while playing for Inter Miami, which slowed his preparation for the World Cup. However, he showed no ill effects in a tuneup match against Iceland last week, scoring a penalty kick in 20 minutes of action.
Tuesday's appearance was the 200th of his international career, which began in 2005 at age 18. Only Portugal's Ronaldo (229th appearance on Wednesday against Congo) and Kuwait's Bader al-Mutawa (202nd in 2002) have more.
Messi Mania in Kansas City
Messi-mania has swept through Kansas City since Argentina's arrival. On match day, thousands of fans wearing his No. 10 jersey flocked to the home of the NFL's Chiefs. At a watch party in the downtown Power & Light District, a real-life goat accompanied by former NFL quarterback-turned Fox broadcaster Jameis Winston came on stage wearing the same blue-and-white Argentina jersey.
The argument that Messi is soccer's GOAT — greatest of all time — is becoming undeniable with each World Cup goal.
