24/06/2026 07:10 - Deportes
Lionel Messi continues defying expectations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and his teammates can't stop praising him. Following the 2-0 victory over Austria in Dallas, where the captain scored both goals and established himself as the all-time World Cup top scorer with 18 goals, the Argentine locker room overflows with admiration.
Alexis Mac Allister, the Brighton midfielder who became a key piece in Argentina's midfield, expressed clearly what many think: "Messi is from another planet." The Premier League champion highlighted not only his football quality but also his leadership on and off the pitch.
Messi's performance against Austria allowed him to break four official Guinness World Records:
Additionally, the Argentine number 10 matched a record only previously held by Just Fontaine (France 1958) and Jairzinho (Brazil 1970): scoring in six consecutive World Cup matches.
Leandro Paredes, currently playing for Roma, highlighted the captain's humility: "Despite everything he's achieved, he remains the same as always. He's an example for all of us."
Lisandro Martínez, the Manchester United defender, emphasized Messi's importance to the group: "Leo makes us believe anything is possible. His presence alone elevates the team's level."
The Argentine National Team finished first in Group J with 6 points and a goal difference of +5. Lionel Scaloni's team demonstrated solidity across all lines.
| Team | Points | GD | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 6 | +5 | Qualified |
| Austria | 3 | -2 | In play |
| Algeria | 3 | -3 | In play |
| Jordan | 0 | -6 | Eliminated |
Argentina's path to the Round of 16 is now defined:
Date: June 27, 2026
Venue: Dallas
Time: 23:00 (Argentina time)
Date: July 3, 2026
Venue: Miami (Hard Rock Stadium)
Time: 19:00 (Argentina time)
Opponent: Runner-up of Group H
Lionel Scaloni, Argentina's head coach, confirmed he will implement rotations in the match against Jordan to preserve key players. Cuti Romero, who received a knock to his knee, will be carefully managed ahead of the knockout stage.
The legend continues. Happy 39th birthday, Leo!
Alfredo S. Quiroga
