Lionel Messi became the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer on Tuesday night, scoring twice against Austria to send the holders into the last 32. But the historic double — taking his tournament tally to five goals out of Argentina's five — has also exposed a deepening reliance on the 38-year-old that has left Lionel Scaloni's side vulnerable if the unthinkable happens.
Messi, on the cusp of turning 39, has lit up this World Cup like no-one else, re‑writing the history books with two performances of pure vintage. But he has scored every single one of his team's goals so far, and the numbers have raised questions about Argentina's claim to be genuine contenders. "It feels like the footballing world would come to a complete standstill," wrote Jeremy Cross in the Mirror, leaving Scaloni to "somehow get the planet turning again."
“Messi's double makes him World Cup all-time top scorer, but concerns grow over Argentina's over-reliance on the 38-year-old.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic summed up Messi's influence: "Messi isn't just Argentina's best player. He's Argentina's system. He's their confidence. He's their belief. He's the reason every team-mate walks onto the pitch thinking the impossible is possible." But Ibrahimovic added: "Greatness is not when everything depends on you."
The prospect of Messi being forced out through injury — something no-one but Cristiano Ronaldo would dare think about — would send a shiver down Scaloni's spine. Even Messi admits he's already running on fumes. The immediate replacements, Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez, do not inspire confidence. Martinez started alongside Messi in the win over Austria but failed to make an impact, while Alvarez is dealing with the distraction of huge speculation about his club future.
Would they have the ability to help Argentina conquer the world again? It seems and feels unlikely. By contrast, France and Spain appear less reliant on a single star: Kylian Mbappe is the figurehead, but one glance at the alternative attacking options available to both leaves Argentina in the shade for once. Argentina remain a streetwise team with strength through the spine — but the dependence on one man, dubbed "Messi dependencia", leaves an unanswered question that could define their tournament.