In the 6th FIFA World Cup and the 200th Argentine national team, Messi scored an amazing goal. Video

Lionel Messi became the first player in men’s football history to appear in six World Cups and marked the occasion with a stunning goal as Argentina opened their title defense against Algeria in their Group J clash in Kansas City on Tuesday.

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The Argentina captain, making his 200th appearance for the national team, scored in the 17th minute to hand the reigning champions the lead in their opening tournament. Messi’s goal also made him Argentina’s youngest and oldest goalscorer in World Cup history, underscoring the extraordinary longevity of a player who continues to perform at the highest level.

After a frantic start, with both teams having goals disallowed, Alexis Mac Allister split the Algerian defense with a perfectly balanced pass. Messi timed his run to perfection before curling a left-footed finish past goalkeeper Luc Zidane and into the top corner.

The strike added another chapter to Messi’s remarkable World Cup career. It was his 14th goal of the tournament, tying France forward Kylian Mbappe for third place in all-time scoring and two goals shy of the overall record. It was also the fifth time Messi had scored from outside the penalty area at a World Cup, tying Brazilian great Rivelin for the most such goals by any player since 1966.

It was another milestone on the World Cup journey that began in Germany 20 years ago.

Messi made his tournament debut as a 19-year-old in 2006, scoring against Serbia and Montenegro. Four years later, he left South Africa without a goal despite Diego Maradona’s Argentina reaching the quarter-finals.

The 2014 World Cup in Brazil brought him agonizingly close to glory. Messi scored four times during the group stage and inspired Argentina to the final, where Germany denied them the title after extra time. Despite the defeat, he was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament.

There was another disappointment in Russia 2018 as Argentina were knocked out by eventual champions France in the Round of 16, but Messi finally fulfilled his World Cup dream in Qatar four years later. His seven goals, including two in a thrilling final against France, helped Argentina lift the trophy for the first time since 1986 and secure their third World Cup title.

Many expected this triumph to bring down the curtain on his World Cup career. Instead, Messi returned for another campaign, becoming the first player in men’s football history to appear in six World Cups. Arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to match that feat when Portugal open their tournament on Wednesday.

Twenty years after his World Cup debut, Messi remains central to Argentina’s ambitions. On a night full of milestones in Kansas City, he once again delivered the moment that mattered most.

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Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

17 Jun 2026 07:18 IST