Messi, legend of legends

Football is so loyal to those who glorify it that, in the heat of Texas, in the most modern stadium he has ever played in, far removed from the small pitches of Rosario where it all began, Messi scored the two goals that firmly secure his place in history. These were the strikes that took him past Klose, his 17th and 18th World Cup goals, more than anyone else, more than any of the extraordinary players who have graced this magical tournament.

Perhaps Mbappé is closing in and will one day surpass him, but the glory that exists between his goal in Dallas and the one that eventually catches him is already a reward for this 38-year-old colossus, a legend among legends, a myth among myths. It was not Jordi Alba but Mac Allister. It was not with Barça but with Argentina. It was not at Camp Nou but in the United States. Yet Messi was Messi, and that never changes, scoring the goal that cements him in history, the one he has scored throughout his career and repeated on his path to Olympus: a switch of play to the flank, a cross towards the edge of the area, and a trademark Messi finish arriving from deep, guiding the ball into the same corner with the help of its own momentum.

Football history. The history that allows him to surpass Klose. His sixth consecutive World Cup match with a goal. His ninth goal across those six games. At 38, another challenge met in a career defined by an endless succession of records.

The stands erupted. Among the more than 60,000 Argentines, and Argentina supporters scattered throughout the crowd, the joy of witnessing Messi on a day destined to be remembered forever exploded into celebration. Leo achieved far more than becoming an unforgettable player. He made supporters feel what he feels, push where he pushes, and enjoy what he enjoys. And suffer what he suffers as well. That is why his missed penalty, moments before the celebrations, felt like a dagger through the atmosphere. Posch’s challenge on Lautaro brought a controversial penalty, but the No. 10 failed to convert. A historic goal did not deserve to arrive under such strange circumstances.

Austria did not surrender easily either, which only highlighted the character shown by Messi and Argentina. Alaba prevented a couple of clear chances, while the relentless tackling of Austria’s midfielders turned the match into the kind of battle that only a genius can tame. Once Argentina’s creators were contained, Messi became both their creator and himself. Enzo Fernández and Mac Allister may be worth more than $150 million, but with Leo nearby they become lieutenants serving the one man who truly understands how this game is played.

The freedom with which Messi drifted across the pitch every time he touched the ball seemed to calm Austria’s resistance, although they never fully surrendered. He almost scored again when Schlager managed to tip an effort over the bar with his fingertips. Scaloni turned to his bench, and attention will now turn to whether Cuti Romero’s injury is as serious as it appeared when he departed, and whether Julián Álvarez can genuinely challenge Lautaro for a place in the starting line-up.

There are no doubts about Messi. As though time had never touched him, as though it had not been 20 years since his first World Cup appearance but rather his very first tournament, he floated around the opposition penalty area with the freshness of a young player. He delivered a corner that Nico González nearly turned into the goal that would have settled the contest, but he saved the final flourish for himself. His second goal, the one that completed his brace and moved him to 18 on the all-time list, came from a counterattack he both orchestrated and finished.

Another historic day. One that secures his place forever in the pages of World Cup history, in case there were any doubts left, in case any sceptic still questioned that we are witnessing the greatest legend of them all.

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