It was the penalty miss that seemed to sum up the pain. In 2016, after Argentina lost a fourth major final in nine years, Lionel Messi walked off the pitch at the Copa America final and into retirement. "For me, the national team is over," he said. "I've done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion."
Ten years later, two days before his 39th birthday, Messi is not only still playing for the reigning World Cup champions, but has become the tournament's all-time leading scorer. On Monday, 40 years to the day since Diego Maradona scored twice in a 2-1 quarter-final win over England, Messi again rewrote the record books with both goals in a 2-0 victory against Austria. It was "another immortal Messi moment", according to BBC commentator Steve Bower.
“Lionel Messi became the World Cup's all-time leading scorer with 18 goals, 10 years after retiring from international football.”
An eighth-minute penalty miss was quickly forgotten when, 30 minutes later, he slotted a low strike for his 17th World Cup goal, moving him clear of Germany's Miroslav Klose as the outright top scorer in tournament history. The 18th came in second-half stoppage time, squeezing the ball past two Austria defenders from a tight angle.
That decision to reverse his international retirement has led to a glorious era of success. Argentina have won the past two Copa America tournaments, and in 2022 captain Messi guided them to the World Cup, scoring seven goals – including two in the final – as they won the tournament for the third time, but the first since 1986.
Now Messi has 18 goals in 28 World Cup games, with 13 of those coming since he reversed his decision to quit international football. Remarkably, 12 of his 18 goals have come since he turned 35. Fourteen have been struck with his left foot, and four from outside the box.
"I enjoy playing and having a good time on the pitch," Messi said. "We enjoy seeing the people like this too, being able to give them this kind of joy."
Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We don't have time to create statues for Lionel Messi or deep analysis for him in newspapers. We cannot keep pace."
With Jordan to come and Argentina already guaranteed a last-32 place, you would be foolish to bet against him scoring more. "He is enjoying it and this is the best thing," added Balague. "I have seen him play World Cups where he couldn't last 90 minutes."