Lionel Messi’s sweet 16 years: Six World Cups, sixteen goals – a look at every one of Leo’s goals

Devastated and battered, Leo Messi left Russia in 2018 after losing to France in the round of 16. He had only six goals in four campaigns. At risk of being judged as an underdog on the biggest stage, Messi was light years away from Miroslav Klose’s cup record of 16 goals. After eight years, Messi, who will turn 39 in 10 days, is now the co-owner of this coveted record. It is now up to him to extend the lead over 27-year-old Kylian Mbappe, who briefly overtook Messi (14 goals) on Wednesday. TOI takes a look at Messi’s 16 World Cup goals (four penalties) in six campaigns since 2006…38 years 357 daysMessi is the oldest man to score a hat-trick at the World Cup, breaking Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 33 years and 130 days against Spain at Russia 2018. Messi is the oldest and youngest (aged 18 years 357 d) goalscorer at the World Cup in Argentina.

1. vs Serbia and Montenegro: It was a group league match in which Argentina won 6–0. Messi scored the last goal in jersey No. 19. The then 18-year-old, set up by Carlos Tevez inside the box, tapped the ball past the keeper with his right foot.

2. vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: After failing to score in 2010, he finally found his second in a 2-1 win in Argentina.opener. In a one-two with Gonzalo Higuain, Messi’s left foot hit the post from outside the box and went in.3. vs Iran: A tight group game in Argentina’s Belo Horizonte was about to drop points when Messi rose like a phoenix in the 91st minute. After receiving the ball, he took two touches and unleashed a beautiful left-footer from distance to help Argentina to a 1-0 win.4. vs Nigeria: Messi gave Argentina the lead in the third minute in a tough group game which they won 3-2. Messi capitalized on the rebound after Angelo Di Maria’s shot hit the crossbar and knocked the ball into the net from close range.5. vs Nigeria: Messi added a second just before the break – his signature curling free-kick from close range.

2018 – RUSSIA

6. vs Nigeria: An underrated gem in a must win game. Messi received Ever Banega’s long ball onto his left thigh and beat his marker with pace and control to score with his right – all without breaking a beat.

2022 – QATAR

7. vs Saudi Arabia: Argentina’s first goal of the tournament came from the penalty spot. The opening game reversed (1-2) was a shock that left the Albiceleste on the brink of elimination. 8. vs. Mexico: Probably his most important goal. Argentina, staring at an early exit, picked up a ball from Di Maria in the 64th minute, found space and unleashed a left-footed shot past Ochoa. It turned out to be the elixir for Argentina9. vs Australia: Messi’s first ever knockout goal, this one in the round of 16. After a short pass from Alexis Mac Allister inside the box, the master’s left foot gave them a 1-0 lead in a close game which Argentina won 2-1.10. vs Netherlands: A calm high left-footed spot-kick conversion to give Argentina a 2-0 lead in a volatile quarter-final match that they eventually won in a tie-break. Messi previously missed a penalty against Polandbut that didn’t stop him from another coercive punishment.11 vs Croatia: The first goal in the semi-finals, again from the penalty spot with a left-footed bullet.12. vs France: The penalty that Di Maria earned was converted by Messi with a tap to the left of Hugo Lloris. This gave Argentina an early 1-0 lead in a final that would eventually unfold into an epic13. vs France: The third goal came from close range in extra time after Lloris saved Lautaro Martinez’s stinging close-range shot.

2026 – USA, Canada and Mexico

14. vs Algeria: Messi received Rodrigo De Paulo’s pass from the center circle, ran through the middle and beat goalkeeper Luca Zidane with a powerful left foot shot from outside the box.15 Mac Allister’s shot was spilled by Zidane – as his famous father watched from the stands – and the Argentine maestro showed poaching instinct to tap it home.16 Messi won the ball from the left, took a few steps and made a left-footed move, which helped him complete his first World Cup hat-trick.