Lionel Messi has etched his name deeper into football history, scoring twice in Argentina's 2-0 Group J win over Austria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 18 goals — surpassing Brazilian icon Marta across both the men's and women's tournaments.

Yet the 38-year-old captain was candid about the physical toll the evening had taken on him. "I'm tired. I don't have a lot of strength and it's hard to think for me right now. So I'm just enjoying this moment and I want to join my colleagues," he said after the final whistle.

A brace to remember

Messi's opening goal came in the 38th minute — a crisp first-time finish from Facundo Medina's low cross that drew him level with Marta on 17 World Cup goals across both competitions. He then sealed the record in added time at the end of the second half, reacting quickest to his own rebound and firing low through a packed penalty area to reach 18 goals.

The victory also secured Argentina's passage to the round of 32, adding extra meaning to an already historic night.

Mixed emotions at the final whistle

Despite the magnitude of the achievement, Messi was reflective rather than euphoric. "I'm very happy with the win," he said. "It was a hugely important victory, a tough one, and one we worked hard for. It gives us calm for what's coming."

He also acknowledged a missed penalty earlier in the game, though he found a way to see the lighter side. "I had the penalty that I could have scored. Well, maybe had I done that, I wouldn't have scored the others. You never know. But the truth is that the way it turned out today was spectacular."

When pressed to reflect further on breaking the record, Messi admitted he had little capacity for deep analysis in the moment. "I don't remember, really," he said with characteristic understatement.