Lionel Messi has etched his name further into football history, drawing level with Miroslav Klose's long-standing record as the highest goalscorer in World Cup history. The Argentine maestro achieved this monumental feat with an impressive hat-trick during a recent match against Algeria, bringing his total World Cup tally to 16 goals.
This latest achievement underscores Messi's enduring brilliance, particularly as he continues to perform at an elite level at 38 years old. His journey in the World Cup began as an 18-year-old in 2006, where he was an unused substitute when Germany, featuring Klose, eliminated Argentina. Two decades later, Messi now stands on the cusp of surpassing the German striker, who himself overtook Brazil's Ronaldo to claim the record.
Interestingly, Klose had already anticipated Messi's eventual triumph. Speaking last week, the German forward remarked, "The record will be broken eventually. Messi is welcome to do it. I'm a huge Messi fan, always have been." This sentiment highlights the widespread admiration for Messi's talent, even from those whose records he is set to break.
While Messi's early career saw his genius primarily displayed in the colours of Barcelona, his later years have witnessed a profound connection with the Argentine national team, culminating in a World Cup victory in 2022. A significant portion of his World Cup goals, ten of his record-equalling haul, have come in what might be considered the latter stages of his career, a testament to his longevity and adaptability.
Argentina's current manager, Lionel Scaloni, who was alongside Messi on the bench when Klose scored against them 20 years ago, has built a system designed to maximise Messi's impact. Scaloni expressed his awe, stating, "At a loss for words about Leo. What can I say? He’s incredible. It's quite hard to explain. We are amazed with him still, although we get to see him on a daily basis. He has been the best for 20 years but he still pulls it off every single match. You don't need to be an Argentinian fan to admire what he has done at the age of 38."
Messi's current role at Inter Miami has not diminished his international prowess. He continues to find space and execute with precision, as evidenced by his six shots in the Algeria match and his leading 32 shots in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, one more than Kylian Mbappe. Should Argentina have a deep run in the current tournament, Messi is poised to not only break the goal record but potentially repeat his feat as the player with the most shots.