2026 World Cup: Lionel Messi Breaks Another Record After Argentina's 3-2 Victory Over Cape Verde
July 5, 2026 · Global
Lionel Messi scored his 20th World Cup goal in Argentina's 3-2 win over Cape Verde, adding his seventh goal of the tournament and breaking multiple records.
Lionel Messi scores another goal. After three goals against Algeria, two goals against Austria and one goal against Jordan, Messi added to his tally as Argentina beat Cape Verde in their World Cup round of 32 match. The opening goal in a dramatic 3-2 win in Miami was Messi's 20th at the World Cup, extending a record he broke during the group stage in the United States. This was his seventh goal of the tournament.
The atmosphere around the stadium was lively long before kick-off, with fans lining the streets wearing blue and white, banging drums, singing songs and posing under a giant Argentinian flag. Inside the stadium, blue and white shirts dominated the stands, with Messi's number 10 visible everywhere. Flags hung from the fence, while one prominent banner featured Messi alongside Diego Maradona as saint-like figures, reflecting the status many supporters consider their greatest football icons.
"He's our hero," said one Argentina fan before kick-off. "He was like God to us." "He's maturing like fine wine," added another. "The older he gets, the better he gets."
When asked if Messi can win the Golden Boot at this World Cup, supporters are confident that he will if Argentina reaches the final. "We've gotten a lot from him," said one fan. "If he wins it, that's fantastic, but everything he has done for Argentina is enough. He is extraordinary."
By Messi's extraordinary standards, this was not his most influential performance. Cape Verde frustrated Argentina for a long time and played with a confidence that showed little sign of distance in the world rankings, where Argentina is ranked second and Cape Verde is outside the top 60. However, as he has done many times before, Messi still leaves his mark. The goal itself was a reminder that even when he looks composed, he only needs one moment.
With perfect timing, Messi ran onto Lisandro Martinez's pass, received the ball with his first touch and then lifted it past the Cape Verde goalkeeper. Messi's total goals are now seven, which should be enough to make him top scorer in five of the last six World Cups.
Since 1978, there have been 13 World Cups and his goal total would be enough to be top scorer in all but two. Former Scotland striker James McFadden, commentating on BBC Radio 5 Live, described the finish as "absolutely incredible". "The runs he made through the back line and his timing were very good," McFadden said. "The weight of the pass to him was incredible and his first touch was perfect." On ITV, Ally McCoist was also impressed, calling him a "genius at work".
“It's one record after another,” he said. "This is amazing." The records continue to grow. She is the first player, male or female, to score 20 career World Cup goals. And he has now scored in eight consecutive World Cup appearances - which no one else has ever done. He also became the first player to score seven or more goals in two different World Cups after reaching that figure in 2022.
What continues to set him apart is not his relentless running, but his almost unrivaled understanding of space and timing. While others chase the game, Messi studies it. Perhaps that's why, at 39, he is still able to score goals at the rate he does. He scans the pitch before receiving the ball, waiting patiently for the right opportunity and conserving energy until the moment arrives.
However, in this tournament, there is also another side to the game. "Throughout the year, Messi sometimes walks on the pitch to assess what's going on," McFadden said. "But here he's coming back to try to win the ball and lead the pressure. It's not completely high energy pressure, but he's leading." If there is any place outside Argentina where the Messi madness exists, it is perhaps strongest in Miami. The city's large Argentinian community has welcomed him since his arrival at Inter Miami in 2023, and his influence extends beyond the football field. His image is everywhere, from murals throughout the city to flags, shop windows and various items of memorabilia.
Children wearing Argentina's number 10 shirts played football on the beach, while his name was chanted around the stadium long before kick-off. The impact even reached Miami's culinary scene. Several Argentinian restaurants proudly serve milanesa - an Argentinian dish of breaded beef or chicken that is believed to be one of Messi's favorites. Some places even name their menu items in his honor.
In the post-match press zone, where the media can talk to players, the frenzy reaches another level. Journalists crowded around hoping to hear from him, microphones were raised in the air and camera operators craned their arms above the crowd for a glimpse of the game's biggest star. Conversation stopped when he appeared, with television crews jockeying for position before he disappeared into the corridor a moment later. Such is the interest that there is a series of digital platforms around the world dedicated entirely to it. They followed his every move, documenting the latest chapter in a career that continues to captivate supporters wherever he plays. The global interest in Messi goes beyond Argentina's own supporters and emphasizes that this World Cup is more than just one country's quest for silverware. For many, it's another opportunity to watch one of football's greatest players continue to make history.