Messi Breaks World Cup Scoring Streak Record at 39

Lionel Messi entered Saturday's match against Jordan as a second-half substitute with the group already decided and Jordan already eliminated. The only drama left at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, was whether Messi would extend his World Cup scoring streak.

He did. And he made it seven straight – a record no man had reached before.

Messi's 80th-minute free kick, a low drive that skimmed past two defenders into the left corner, was his 19th World Cup goal, extending his all-time men's mark. It came three days after his 39th birthday and in his 202nd international appearance. The shot was his 72nd career free-kick goal, 12th for Argentina.

Only two other players had scored in six consecutive World Cup games: France's Just Fontaine and Brazil's Jairzinho. Messi now stands alone. He also joined Pelé, Rivellino, Téofilo Cubillas, Bernard Genghini and David Beckham as the only players since 1966 with two World Cup free-kick goals.

Seventh Consecutive Game With a Goal

The streak started in the 2022 World Cup, continued through the 2026 group stage, and now includes goals against Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland, Australia, the Netherlands, Nigeria and Jordan. Messi has six goals in this tournament, two clear of Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Júnior and Erling Haaland. He has never won the World Cup golden boot as top scorer. This is his sixth tournament.

Giovani Lo Celso, who put Argentina up 1-0 in the 19th minute with another free-kick goal, said of Messi: "I am very happy for him, for the moment he is having. The truth is that seeing him every day excites, excites and infects a lot. So obviously seeing him like that for us is very important."

The crowd of 70,649 – heavily pro-Argentina – began chanting Messi's name as the second half started. They cheered when he came off the bench to warm up, and roared when he replaced Lautaro Martínez in the 60th minute. Martínez had scored on a first-half penalty.

Messi did not start because Argentina had already clinched first place in Group J. The game carried no stakes for either side. Argentina's manager chose to rest him. He had been dealing with a minor hamstring injury with Inter Miami in the weeks leading up to the World Cup, though the free-kick goal suggested no lingering limitation.

Knockout Schedule and Fitness

Argentina's round-of-32 match is Friday in South Florida. This is the first expanded 48-team World Cup, a format that could require five matches in 17 days if La Albiceleste reaches the July 19 final. That schedule puts a premium on squad depth and recovery. Messi's ability to play 30 effective minutes off the bench could be a strategic weapon in the later rounds, when fatigue becomes a factor.

Messi turned 39 on June 24. He remains Argentina's captain and most dangerous attacker. The record that seemed improbable six years ago is now his alone.