Lionel Messi earned himself a FIFA World Cup record in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Mexico in their Group C encounter in Lusail on Saturday. The seven time Ballon d’Or winner became the first footballer to assist on a goal in five different FIFA World Cup tournaments.
This comes just a few days after his arch-rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, became the first Men’s player to score a goal in five separate editions of the World Cup.
Messi missed out on earning that record himself. He has scored a goal in almost every FIFA World Cup he featured in. The exception is in Argentina’s unsuccessful campaign at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
While the record he eventually earned is in the same realm, it is the middle child of records. Still; it is an impressive feat in his own right.
Lionel Messi always has a smile for his fans 😁 pic.twitter.com/BKcmnJOxWh
— GOAL (@goal) November 28, 2022
A goal and an assist for Messi v Mexico
The assist came in Argentina’s crucial Group C match against Mexico on Saturday evening. Messi first got his side in front, in a game where anything less than three points would end their World Cup ambitions prematurely.
Halfway through the second half, Mexico made a fatal mistake on defence, leaving Messi unmarked in the midfield. The Argentine striker received the ball a couple of meters outside the Mexican penalty area. He settled himself and snuck the ball into the bottom right corner with expert precision.
Lionel Messi goal against Mexico in World Cup with complete Peter drury commentary. #WorldcupQatar2022 #Messi𓃵 pic.twitter.com/Li4fGVqSjU
— Randy (@Android10Me) November 27, 2022
It was a goal that brought Argentina to its feet
Lionel Messi’s goal watched back in Argentina – this is what it’s like when an entire nation’s hopes rest on your shoulders 😮#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/4JLsnjzkfe
— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) November 27, 2022
To the matter of the assist – was it a spectacular through ball? Perhaps a pin-point cross?
No, not at all.
Messi received the ball from a corner and nonchalantly passed it the Enzo Fernandez. Fernandez did all the work to beat the Mexican goalkeeper, Guillermo Ochoa.
Enzo Fernandes scores an ABSOLUTE STUNNER pic.twitter.com/fYPCbjuGzL
— Vamos Argentina (@BaralP_) November 26, 2022
Messi playing second fiddle to Renaldo
Some would argue that the record and any mention of it is all but pandering to the Lionel Messi fans, following Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal-scoring record at the World Cup. However, getting an assist is just tough as finding the back of the net.
You can find your teammate with an expertly weighted pass in a dangerous position. However, he still has to beat the goalkeeper. It is an accomplishment that deserves recognition by a footballer in a class of his own. Well, perhaps a class of two.
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