Messi eyes World Cup record as Argentina face Austria

The Lionel Messi show rolls into Dallas with the Argentine maestro on the cusp of more footballing history when the World Cup holders face Austria on Monday

Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria to pull level with Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup record of 16 goals. The skipper broke down in tears after his first goal, and it later emerged that his father is recovering from an unspecified “health issue”.

Inter Miami attacker Messi had not even committed to playing the tournament in North America until the last moment. But nobody realistically expected him to be absent from spearheading Argentina’s attempt to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cup crowns.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain wizard dragged his country to World Cup glory four years ago, and the lure of representing his nation once again on the biggest stage proved irresistible. The impressive air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys for Argentina’s second group game against Austria would be the perfect stage for Messi to break Klose’s record.

“In the end, it’s just a statistic and nothing more,” Messi said.

Victory over Austria would put Lionel Scaloni’s side on the cusp of the last 32 as Group L winners with a game to go, giving Messi the chance to recharge for the knockout rounds.

Fast forward to now, and even approaching middle age, Messi’s mere presence inspires his team-mates on and off the pitch.