The love between Leo Messi and the World Cup has blossomed in his maturity, some would say belatedly, but the Argentine is writing his own chapter in the history of the FIFA tournament. Even in his sixth participation and a day away from turning 39, after two seasons playing in the MLS with Inter Miami and away from the pressure of titles he experienced during his time at Barça and PSG.
Having a tournament where smiling and enjoying was the cherry on top after lifting the World Cup in Qatar, he has unleashed himself to not only break his personal records but also those of the competition's history.
With his brace against Austria, added to the hat trick against Algeria, he is now indisputably the all-time leading scorer in the World Cup, surpassing Miroslav Klose and leaving behind one of his idols, Ronaldo Nazario. "He had several serious knee injuries, and fortunately, I did not," he said when shown the Brazilian proclaiming him the best player in history. The simple reason that still drives Messi is: "I enjoy playing, having fun on the field."
Messi is surrounded by a team that, as it did four years ago, surrounds him and helps him become better. Perhaps that is a key that explains why his World Cup numbers are better now than when he was at the peak of his career. He debuted in the World Cup in Germany and scored his first goal, assisted by Carlos Tévez, on June 16 against Serbia. Just a week ago, when he scored the hat trick against Algeria, marking 20 years. From South Africa in 2010, where he returned empty-handed, to Brazil with four goals and the bitter taste of losing the final against Germany. In Russia, with more experience, he only scored one goal.
Messi struggled, accumulating Ballon d'Or awards, and Argentina was not performing well, a situation that changed positively in the last two editions. "When Leo activates, everyone else does too. That's the team's merit," summarized Lionel Scaloni, the man who found the right formula to make him enjoy and appear eternal. "You can see he is committed, and there is a reason for that," defended the coach, who surrounds him to reach everything, even if it means sacrificing other pieces: "Leo plays because I say so," he stated.
If Messi was ever questioned for his results, no one can do so now. In Qatar, he scored seven goals leading them to the third star, and in the United States, in just two matches, he has scored five goals, now awaiting Jordan. It is likely that he will surpass this number and set another record. "I am happy for the goals, for the victory, and for qualifying as group leaders. The important thing is that the team won against an intense opponent. We had to play it, and we got through it," the player acknowledged, who continues to achieve feats. He has scored 18 goals in World Cups, played the most matches, 28, with the most minutes (2,489), and celebrated the most victories (18).
Moreover, he wants more. "I was upset about missing the penalty because I took it very poorly," he lamented in the mixed zone, surrounded by dozens of microphones seeking his reaction, to which, unusually, he responded gradually with the same arguments. He does not pay much attention to the records. "I am happy to bring joy to the people, to the kids, to those who watched it at work. We have to take it step by step because this is a long journey," he warned.
"He is the best in history. I don't know if it's because we have already won everything and he is calmer, or because he wants more every time. He is an example for us," summarized Emiliano Martínez, the Albiceleste goalkeeper. For now, the team is already thinking about how to celebrate the best player in a World Cup who turns 39 tomorrow, June 24, leading the way to the fourth star.