DALLAS: Lionel Messi will have another opportunity to etch his name deeper into football history when Argentina take on Austria in their second FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage fixture on Monday.
The Argentine captain heads into the match level with Germany legend Miroslav Klose as the joint-highest scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals.
Messi reached the landmark after producing a stunning hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening Group L encounter, putting himself within touching distance of becoming the outright record holder.
Most goals in FIFA World Cup history
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 16
- Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 16
- Ronaldo (Brazil) – 15
- Kylian Mbappe (France) – 14
- Gerd Müller (West Germany) – 14
- Just Fontaine (France) – 13
With Argentina set to play at the climate-controlled home of the Dallas Cowboys, the stage is set for Messi to add another chapter to his remarkable World Cup story.
A victory over Austria would also put the defending champions on the brink of sealing top spot in Group L and securing an early passage to the last 32.
Austria, however, are expected to provide a stern challenge after opening their campaign with a 3-1 victory over tournament debutants Jordan under the guidance of Ralf Rangnick.
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Messi, who celebrates his 39th birthday on Wednesday, continues to command admiration from teammates and coaching staff alike. Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister said the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner remains the heartbeat of the side.
“If anyone thought this group was better off without Leo, today it became clear that Leo is the most important of them all,” Mac Allister said after Argentina’s opening victory.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni, who shared a dressing room with Messi during the 2006 World Cup, believes the squad has built a special environment around their captain.
“He’s playing with a group of friends, with people that are going to play with their heart for him,” Scaloni said. “Whenever they need to have a conversation with him they can just approach him and it’s really hard to explain whatever he conveys. You need to understand the atmosphere and the ambience.”
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Forward Julian Alvarez admitted Messi has been his idol since childhood and said the team is eager to repay everything the captain has given to Argentine football.
“He’s been my idol since I was a kid. Naturally, you want to repay that,” Alvarez told DAZN.
While Messi may no longer possess the explosive pace of his younger years, Argentina have adapted their game around the veteran playmaker, allowing him to conserve energy and deliver moments of brilliance when it matters most.
Now, with history within reach once again, all eyes will be on Dallas to see whether the Argentine icon can finally move past Klose and become the outright leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history.
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