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The goal itself was a reminder that even when he looks subdued, he only needs a moment.
Timing his run to Lisandro Martinez’s pass perfectly, Messi took the ball with his first touch and then lifted it over the Cape Verde keeper.
Messi’s goal tally now stands at seven, making him the top scorer in five of the last six World Cups. Since 1978, there have been 13 World Cups and his tally has been enough to be the top scorer in all but two.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scotland forward James McFadden described the finish as “unbelievable”.
“The runs he makes are out of the backline and the timing is great,” McFadden said.
“He has outstanding pass weight and his first touch is superb.”
On ITV, Ally McCoist was equally impressed, calling it “genius at work”.
“It’s just one record after another,” he said. “It’s amazing.”
Those records kept growing.
She is the first player, male or female, to score 20 career World Cup goals.
And he has now scored in eight consecutive World Cups – something no one else has done. And he is the first player to score seven or more goals in two separate World Cups after reaching the mark in 2022.
What sets him apart is not relentless running but an almost unparalleled understanding of space and time.
While others chase the game, Messi studies it.
Perhaps that’s why, at 39, he still manages to score at the rate he does. He scans the pitch before gaining possession, patiently waits for the right opportunity and saves energy until the moment arrives.
Yet there is another side to his game in this tournament.
“Over the years, Messi has occasionally walked into games to assess what’s going on,” observed McFadden.
“But here he is coming back to try to win the ball and leading the press. It’s not a full, high-energy press, but he’s leading it.”
