Lionel Messi scored his 17th World Cup goal on Monday to become the all-time leading scorer in tournament history, overcoming a missed penalty and personal challenges to lead Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Austria at Dallas Stadium.
Messi surpasses Klose's record
The 38-year-old forward entered the match tied with Miroslav Klose at 16 goals after scoring a hat-trick in Argentina's group-stage opener. He took the record outright with a first-half strike in the 38th minute, then added a second goal in second-half stoppage time.
Messi's first chance came from the penalty spot after a foul in the box, but he sent his shot wide of the goal. The miss was uncharacteristic for a player known for his composure, but it came amid off-field difficulties. His father, Jorge, is reportedly dealing with a health issue, leading to rampant speculation in Argentina, including a false report of his death that prompted a television reporter to resign.
Emotional response to adversity
After missing the penalty, Messi remained persistent. In the 38th minute, he received a pass from Thiago Almada, exploited a dummy run, and smashed a shot into the net. His celebration was more intense than his hat-trick celebrations, reflecting the emotional weight of the moment. His second goal came in stoppage time after a rebound from Julián Alvarez's effort, with Messi falling to the ground as he drove the ball home from close range.
Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni has been a vocal supporter of his captain, pushing back against a journalist who asked about the team's handling of Messi's father's situation. "We're good and we're ready for the game tomorrow," Scaloni said indignantly, motioning for the next question.
Team support for Messi
Messi's teammates have rallied around him, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez stating he would "die in goal" for his captain. Defender Nicolás Otamendi tattooed Messi's face after winning the 2022 World Cup, and midfielder Rodrigo De Paul transferred to Inter Miami to play alongside him. Younger players view him with admiration, and the squad is united in wanting to win the tournament for Messi.
Fans in Dallas chanted Messi's name hours before the match and cheered every time his image appeared on the jumbotron. Flags from various Argentinian provinces adorned the stadium, creating a party atmosphere. The support was palpable during both his successes and failures, as fans sought to prop up their idol.
