Lionel Messi Sets New FIFA World Cup Record with Goals in Seven Consecutive Matches

Buenos Aires: Argentina captain Lionel Messi has added another remarkable achievement to his legendary career by becoming the first footballer in history to score in seven consecutive FIFA World Cup matches.

Messi reached the milestone after scoring a superb free-kick in Argentina’s 3-1 victory over Jordan in the final Group J match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 39-year-old, who celebrated his birthday three days earlier, started the match on the bench before entering as a second-half substitute.

In the 80th minute, Messi won a free-kick just outside the penalty area and calmly curled a low shot through a gap in the defensive wall into the bottom-left corner, extending his historic scoring streak to seven successive World Cup appearances.

The goal was Messi’s 19th in FIFA World Cup history, further strengthening his all-time record among men’s World Cup goalscorers. Previously, only France’s Just Fontaine, Brazil’s Jairzinho, and Messi himself had managed to score in six consecutive World Cup matches. Messi now stands alone at the top with seven.

The strike also marked the 72nd free-kick goal of Messi’s professional career and his 12th for Argentina. His international goal tally has now reached 123, making him the second-highest scorer in men’s international football history behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 145 goals. Messi has represented Argentina in 202 international matches.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also became one of only six players since 1966 to score at least two direct free-kick goals in FIFA World Cup history, joining Pelé, Rivellino, Teófilo Cubillas, Bernard Genghini, and David Beckham.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni praised Messi’s latest performance, saying it has become increasingly difficult to find new words to describe the captain’s brilliance. Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who also scored from a free-kick in the 19th minute, said watching Messi perform at such a high level continues to inspire the entire squad.

Having already secured top spot in Group J before the match, Argentina rested Messi at the start against an already-eliminated Jordan side. However, more than 70,000 fans erupted in applause when he came on in the 60th minute to replace Lautaro Martínez.

Despite never winning the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot, Messi has already scored six goals in the 2026 tournament, putting him two goals ahead of Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Erling Haaland in the race for the competition’s top scorer award.

Messi entered the tournament after recovering from a minor hamstring injury suffered while playing for Inter Miami but has maintained outstanding form throughout the World Cup. Argentina will begin its knockout-stage campaign on Friday in South Florida, with hopes of reaching another World Cup final.

Scaloni revealed that Messi was fit enough to play the full 90 minutes but was rested to keep him fresh for the knockout rounds, adding that the Argentine captain remains focused on the team’s success rather than personal records.