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Lionel Messi, Argentina forward and eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, has notched his eighth goal of this World Cup, pushing his scoring streak to nine matches in a row and vaulting to the top of a fiercely contested Golden Boot race.
This goal marked the 21st of his World Cup career and his 13th during this electrifying nine-game streak, which began with Argentina’s triumphant 2022 campaign. Messi now holds a two-goal edge over Kylian Mbappe on the all-time World Cup scoring chart.
Entering this week's match, Messi had been tied with Mbapp of France and Erling Haaland of Norway at seven goals apiece in the Golden Boot standings, with Mbappe holding the tiebreaker on assists.
England's Harry Kane followed closely with six. Messi had finished runner-up to Mbappe in 2022 while guiding Argentina to glory. He also shared third place in 2014 with four goals.
Born Luis Lionel Andres Messi on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, Messi grew up chasing the ball alongside his two older brothers in spirited neighborhood games. By age 8, his talent caught the eye of Newell's Old Boys, who welcomed him into their youth ranks.
Doctors later discovered Messi had a growth hormone deficiency that stunted his height. His parents, Jorge and Cecilia, bravely began nightly hormone injections for their son, a costly commitment that strained the family's finances.
At just 13, Messi received a life-changing offer from FC Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, which pledged to cover his medical expenses. The family uprooted their lives, moving from Argentina to Spain.
Standing 5 feet 7 inches tall, Messi's dazzling style has often drawn comparisons to the legendary Diego Maradona.
Messi burst onto the scene for FC Barcelona's first team at just 16, and on May 1, 2005, etched his name in history as the club's youngest-ever scorer. Over 17 unforgettable seasons, he became a Barcelona icon.
In 2009, Barcelona won the Champions League, La Liga and Spanish Super Cup in a single season. That year, Messi also won his first FIFA World Player of the Year award and his first Ballon d'Or, becoming the first Argentine player to receive the honor.
Maradona, in comments carried by the BBC, said of Messi: “I see him as very similar to me. He's a leader and is offering lessons in beautiful football. He has something different than any other player in the world.”
Barcelona continued their trophy haul in 2010 and 2011, capturing more La Liga, Spanish Super Cup, and Champions League titles.
In 2012, Messi made history as the first player to score five goals in a single Champions League match and shattered Cesar Rodriguez's record to become Barcelona's all-time top scorer.
He capped off the year with a staggering 91 goals for club and country, earning a fourth straight Ballon d'Or.
Injuries hampered Messi's 2013 campaign, but he roared back in late 2014 to break new scoring records in both La Liga and the Champions League.
Barcelona celebrated a second treble in 2015, with Messi claiming his fifth Ballon d'Or, and a sixth arriving in 2019 after yet another La Liga triumph.
FC Barcelona announced on August 5, 2021, that it could not renew Messi's contract, citing budget constraints and La Liga financial regulations.
At a farewell appearance, Messi said, “This is really difficult for me after so many years spent here, being here my entire life. I'm not ready for this.”
Just four days after departing Barcelona, Messi inked a two-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), reuniting with Neymar and joining forces with Kylian Mbappe.
He debuted for PSG on Aug. 29, 2021, and netted his first goal the next month. During his stint, PSG clinched two Ligue 1 titles, though Champions League glory eluded them.
Messi featured in 72 matches, tallying 32 goals and 34 assists, before leaving as a free agent in June 2023.
Messi told Spanish media outlets on June 7, 2023, that he intended to join Inter Miami CF, a Major League Soccer club partly owned by David Beckham.
“I have made the decision that I am going to Miami,” Messi said, according to ESPN.
He later told Time magazine that he had also considered a move to a Saudi Arabian club before choosing Inter Miami.
Messi joined Inter Miami on July 16, 2023, on a 2.5-year contract reportedly worth approximately $150 million, including an annual salary between $50 million and $60 million, a signing bonus, and revenue-sharing provisions.
Messi's trophy cabinet boasts eight Ballon d'Or awards, including an unprecedented four in a row from 2009 to 2012, as well as wins in 2015, 2019, 2021, and beyond.
He was also crowned FIFA World Player of the Year in 2009 and The Best FIFA Men's Player in 2019 and 2022.
On the international stage, Messi captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, overcoming France in a dramatic penalty shootout and earning the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.
He also lifted the Copa America in 2021 and the CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions in 2022.
His club accolades feature six European Golden Shoes, several Champions League top-scorer honors, and 14 Argentine Footballer of the Year awards.
In 2017, Messi wed his longtime partner, Antonela Roccuzzo, after nearly a decade together. The couple has three sons: Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro. Off the pitch, Messi founded the Leo Messi Foundation, supporting children's education and healthcare initiatives.
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