Lionel Messi is too tired after his record-breaking double against Austria to remember his favorite World Cup goal
Lionel Messi scored two goals to help Argentina win 2-0 against Austria, and became the all-time leading scorer at the World Cup.
Lionel Messi set a World Cup record on Monday by scoring two goals to give Argentina a 2-0 win over Austria and secure their place in the knockout round. This effort made him feel really tired. Messi's two goals brought his total at the 2026 World Cup to five, leading among players after just two matches. Previously, he scored all three goals in the opening match against Algeria with a 3-0 victory. His two goals on Monday also moved him to the top of the all-time World Cup scoring list with his 17th and 18th career goals. Messi entered this match with 16 goals tied with Germany's Miroslav Klose on that list. When asked after the match about his favorite goal among the 18 goals at the World Cup, the Argentina striker said: "I'm not sure," Messi said through translation. "Honestly, I don't remember today. I'm actually tired and have no energy, and it's hard to think, so no. I'm enjoying this moment and want to go see my teammates." With only two days left for Messi to turn 39 years old, he has four days to rest before Argentina ends Group J with Jordan. He will do it in a tight race for all-time goals and the Golden Boot. France's Kylian Mbappé is hot on his heels in both races. Mbappé scored his third and fourth goals of this World Cup on Monday, closing the gap to one goal over Messi in the Golden Boot race. As well as Norway's Erling Haaland. Mbappé, 27, who is likely to participate in future World Cups, now has 16 all-time World Cup goals, level with Klose and only two behind Messi on this list. With all that going on, it's safe to assume that Messi will be well-rested for Argentina's next match on Saturday and for the knockout rounds when they come.
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