Before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, when it was all over the news, the confirmation that Messi and Ronaldo would be playing their sixth World Cup, fans all around the globe rejoiced with excitement to see their GOATs perform at the biggest stage once more.

The centre of attention, given that the World Cup is co-hosted by the USA as well, was Messi, who plays for Major League Soccer Club Inter Miami. The Argentinian achieved his ultimate glory by winning the World Cup in 2022 in Qatar. Nothing puts his achievement better than the commentator Peter Drury’s famous words post final 2022, “Lionel Messi has shaken hands with paradise. The little boy from Rosario, Santa Fe, has just pitched up in heaven. He climbs into a galaxy of his own”. That was four years ago, when Messi was 34. After four years now, there were some questions about whether he can, at the very late stages of his career, still deliver on football’s greatest stage. The answer, delivered with absolute brilliance, has been a massive, resounding yes.

Argentina has had a stellar start to the tournament with their 3-0 win against Algeria, leaving no doubt that they arrived fully prepared to defend their crown. The boy from Rosario was again at the centre of the news with his dazzling display of dominance and prodigy. Messi is doing it again, again, and again. Heading towards his 39th birthday in a few days, Messi started his sixth World Cup campaign with a perfect hat-trick, his first ever in a World Cup tournament. What Messi is achieving with this start in the tournament goes far beyond just winning a football match, but he is completely rewriting the history books before our very eyes. With this hat- trick, his incredible career goal tally has now reached 914 goals. He is now both Argentina’s youngest-ever World Cup goal-scorer and their oldest-ever goalscorer. Exactly 20 years later, he has scored on the biggest stage again, his first World Cup goal arriving back in 2006. With his

hat-trick, he has become the joint-most prolific goal-scorer in the entire history of the competition, scoring 16 in total, equalling Miroslav Klose’s record. Additionally, he currently holds the record for the most overall goal involvements in the tournament’s long history, with the most assists as well. He has 8 assists to his name right now, currently tied with the former Argentinian legend, Maradona and he only needs a few more perfect passes to make the record.

Messi’s performance in the domestic league for Inter Miami in the MLS has also been extraordinary, where he has continued to easily score goals and orchestrate games with his commanding vision and technique, while having a minor setback with injury before the start of the World Cup. He has bagged 12 goals in 14 appearances so far for Inter Miami in the current MLS season. We can see how he has arrived at this tournament in form with his magic fully intact, and he keeps mesmerising his lovers to date.

Late in the game against Algeria, with the three points securely in the bag, manager Lionel Scaloni made a substitution that felt incredibly symbolic. The number 10 was brought off the pitch to a standing ovation, replaced by the young prodigy of Italian Club Como, Nico Paz, who also represents the incredible young talent constantly coming through the famous Argentine youth ranks. Lautaro Martinez took the role of number nine with De Paul, Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez controlling the center from the start of the match.

Argentina’s performance overall has been nothing short of absolute praise. They are on an undefeated run, having dominated their last 8 international matches with a win, including friendlies.

Looking ahead, their path to glory remains intense but highly promising. They are gearing up to face Austria and Jordan in their next group stage fixtures. Given Messi’s current form, the chances of Messi adding even more goals to his tally against these upcoming opponents are high. He is now leading the leader-board with three goals, followed by Kylian Mbappé, England’s Harry Kane, and Norway’s Erling Haaland, who each have two goals to their name so far in this tournament. Mbappe has already scored 14 World Cup goals as of yet, with the last two coming against Senegal and it looks like he will eventually surpass all other names,if not in this tournament, then hopefully the next one. He was also the top scorer in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with 8 goals and a superb hat-trick in the final.

The tactical landscape of the tournament is also shifting in very unpredictable ways. European teams like Spain, the Netherlands and Portugal are failing to win their opening matches. It was predicted that a colossal quarter-final showdown between Argentina and Portugal might take place if both teams could top their respective groups and qualify through the round of 32 and round of 16, which would have fulfilled the fans' fantasy of watching Messi vs Ronaldo on the grand stage. However, with Portugal unexpectedly dropping points in their opening match, it is uncertain how the tournament bracket will look in the knockout stage.

If Argentina are successful in defending its title, it would join Italy and Brazil in achieving this feat in the nearly 100-year history of the competition. Fans remember the magic of the last

World Cup, where Messi practically dragged his team to victory, scoring seven crucial goals, including two goals in the final against France. Now, the maestro is back on the biggest stage.

The young talents are also hungry to win and Lionel Messi is playing with the joyful freedom of a man who has already conquered the world, yet still possesses an endless desire for more. The world is watching, and the beautiful game has truly never looked better.