The roar of the crowd in Miami hadn't even died down before Lionel Messi had done it again – scoring his seventh goal of the 2026 World Cup, his 20th in finals history, and reminding the world why Argentina fans hang banners depicting him as a saint beside Diego Maradona.
To understand what Messi is doing at this World Cup, you need to know the basics. He is the captain and star player of Argentina, the reigning world champions. In the last-32 match against Cape Verde, he scored the opening goal in a 3-2 extra-time win, a delicate lob over the goalkeeper. That goal was his seventh of the tournament, matching or exceeding the top-scorer tally from most previous World Cups – in fact, his current haul would have won the Golden Boot in 11 of the last 13 tournaments.
“Explains Lionel Messi's World Cup records, fan devotion, and legacy for UK readers.”
Messi's World Cup journey has been a saga of near-misses and ultimate triumph. He led Argentina to the final in 2014, losing to Germany, before finally lifting the trophy in 2022 in Qatar. Now 39, he is playing in his sixth World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. His 20th finals goal extends the all-time record he already held, surpassing players like Miroslav Klose and Ronaldo. Fans in Miami, draped in Argentina's sky-blue and white, told reporters: "He's our hero. He's like our God." One supporter noted, "He has aged like fine wine. The older he gets, the better he gets."
For UK readers, Messi's dominance matters because it redefines what longevity and greatness look like in football. British fans are used to debating the best players – from Bobby Charlton to David Beckham to Gareth Bale – but Messi's sustained brilliance at 39, in a World Cup setting, sets a benchmark that challenges even the greatest Premier League icons. His performances also draw huge UK television audiences, especially as England compete in the same tournament.
Q: How many World Cup goals has Lionel Messi scored? Messi has scored 20 goals in World Cup finals, the most by any player in history. His seven goals at the 2026 tournament are already more than any player managed in five of the last six World Cups.
Q: Is this Lionel Messi's last World Cup? Neither Messi nor the Argentine FA have confirmed if this is his final World Cup, but at 39 years old, many fans and pundits assume it is his last chance to add to his legacy.
Q: How does Messi compare to Diego Maradona? Maradona is Argentina's other footballing saint, who led the country to the 1986 World Cup. Fans in Miami displayed a banner showing both players as saint-like figures, reflecting that Messi is now seen as Maradona's equal – perhaps even his superior, having won the World Cup and sustained excellence for longer.
What happens next is uncertain. Messi and Argentina face a quarter-final opponent, while Messi chases the Golden Boot. If Argentina reach the final, he could add even more goals to his record. For now, the world watches a player who, in the words of one fan, "is incredible" – and who shows no signs of stopping.