From Retirement to Records - Messi's Timeless Return
June 24, 2026 · Global
Lionel Messi, after calling off his retirement from international football, is now the World Cup's all-time leading scorer, leading Argentina to numerous victories, including the Copa America and the 2022 World Cup.
In 2016, Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football following defeat to Chile in the Copa America final, where Messi missed a penalty and Argentina lost their fourth major final in nine years. "For me, the national team is finished," he said at the time. "I've done my best. It hurts not to be champion."
It's hard to imagine that ten years later, two days before his 39th birthday, not only was he still playing for world champions Argentina, but he was also the World Cup's all-time leading scorer. His decision to cancel his international retirement ushered in a glorious new era for Messi and his country. They have won the last two Copa America tournaments and, in 2022, captain Messi guided Argentina to a third World Cup title, scoring seven goals - including two in the final - for the first time since 1986.
On Monday, 40 years after Diego Maradona scored twice in a 2-1 win against England in the quarter-finals, Messi set another football record with both goals in a 2-0 win against Austria. It was "another immortal Messi moment," according to BBC commentator Steve Bower. "I enjoy playing and having fun on the pitch," said Messi. "We also enjoy seeing people like this, being able to give them this kind of happiness."
While his eighth-minute penalty miss wasn't a good start, it was forgotten 30 minutes later when he scored his 17th World Cup goal, surpassing Germany's Miroslav Klose as the top scorer in the tournament's history. An 18th goal was not far from reach, with him scoring in second-half stoppage time, slipping the ball past two Austrian defenders from a tight angle.
"We don't have time to do statues for Lionel Messi or in-depth analysis of him in the newspapers. We can't keep up," said Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague on BBC Radio 5 Live. Now, Messi has scored 18 goals in 28 World Cup matches. You'd be a fool to bet that he won't score more, especially with a game against Jordan ahead and Argentina already through to the last 32.
Messi is appearing in his sixth World Cup and has scored 13 tournament goals since reversing his decision to retire from international football. Strikingly, 12 of his 18 goals on football's biggest stage have been scored after he turned 35. Fourteen of those 18 goals were scored with his left foot, and four goals came from outside the penalty box.
"He is enjoying it and this is the best thing," added Balague. "I've seen him play in World Cups where he couldn't last 90 minutes. Here, at the end of the game, he runs like everyone else, now he knows his body well."
"Messi doesn't need to run. He doesn't even need explosive speed to get past defenders, he does it with intelligence. I think we'll see that in the next four years."
The statistics are getting more and more impressive. He has scored all five of Argentina's goals in this World Cup, and is now two goals ahead on the top scorers list. Against Austria, he became only the third player to score in six consecutive World Cup matches after France's Just Fontaine in 1958 and Brazil's Jairzinho in 1970. Messi's two goals against Austria meant he scored from both chances he had and he also created the most chances in the history of the tournament (76).
In his last six World Cup games, he has been involved in 12 goals, scoring 10 and providing two assists. "Are we looking at the greatest player of all time? Maybe, and it's definitely worth debating," asked former Wales defender Ashley Williams on BBC One. Former England midfielder Danny Murphy agreed and said: "Lionel Messi continues to be in great areas with the free role he has. His football intelligence is incredible, he just finds space and great timing from the best player I've ever seen."
However, are Argentina relying too much on their captain? Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former England striker Chris Sutton said: "Lionel Messi's magic once again for Argentina. Not just his goals, but his contribution to the team. The way he puts it all together - he's a small man for big moments. I think the downside for Lionel Scaloni is that he might want other players to contribute with goals. They can't just rely on Messi, or can they?"
Even in failure, Messi breaks records. He will get the spotlight for his abilities in front of goal, but there is also a record to be desired. Argentina won a penalty when Lautaro Martinez was brought down, but Messi missed the spot kick. "There was a moment where I was very angry about the penalty, because I missed it and I was very, very disappointed," Messi said. "Luckily we were able to turn that situation around, take the lead and get the three points."
He became the first player to miss a penalty at the 2026 World Cup and has now taken (seven) and missed (three) the most penalties in the tournament's history, excluding shootouts. He also missed six of 31 penalties for Argentina. Replying with two goals, this was the first competitive match in which Messi scored for Argentina after also missing a penalty. "Messi is human after all, he is allowed to make the occasional mistake," added Murphy.
Perhaps it was fate that the record goal he scored was scored in true Messi-style fashion. "He probably missed it on purpose," Murphy joked. "Maybe breaking records is meant for better goals."
South American football expert Tim Vickery added: "The football gods clearly don't want him to break the record with penalties, they want him to break the record with goals from open play. Argentina have built a team around him and I just don't want this carnival to end."
While holding many records, there is still more he can achieve. Next on the list is probably most assists in a World Cup as Messi is currently level with Maradona on eight assists. Jordan in the final group game (Sunday, 03:00 BST) is the next opportunity for Messi to create more football history.