Argentina captain Lionel Messi edges closer to history as he targets two major World Cup records against Austria

Argentina national team captain Lionel Messi, aged 38, is on the verge of setting two historic milestones as the South American side prepares to face Austria in their second group-stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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Lionel Messi enters the fixture in exceptional form after scoring a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening match against Algeria, a performance that further strengthened his place in World Cup history and drew him level with Germany legend Miroslav Klose on the all-time tournament scoring chart.

Should Lionel Messi find the net against Austria, the Inter Miami forward would move outright at the top of the World Cup scoring list, setting a new record for the most goals in the competition’s history.

Beyond the goal-scoring milestone, Lionel Messi is also within reach of another historic achievement.

The Argentina captain requires just one more assist to become the outright record holder for the most assists in World Cup history, adding yet another layer to his already decorated international career.

The possibility of a double record-breaking night has generated global attention, with fans and analysts closely watching whether the veteran forward can extend his extraordinary legacy on football’s biggest stage.

Argentina’s coaching staff have continued to emphasise collective performance, but Messi’s influence remains central to their attacking structure as they progress through the tournament.

While Austria are expected to provide a disciplined defensive challenge, anticipation remains high that Messi could once again produce a defining moment in a competition where he has consistently delivered over the years.

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As the match approaches, attention will be firmly fixed on whether Lionel Messi can turn expectation into history and further cement his status as one of football’s most influential figures.