Lionel Messi is 38 years old. He’s already won the World Cup, he’s got more Ballon d’Ors than anyone, and he’s still out here setting records most players will never touch. On Monday night, Messi scored twice against Austria in the group stage to become the all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup history. Seven goals across two tournaments. Nobody else has done that.
One person who watched it happen in person? Manu Ginobili. The Spurs legend and Argentine basketball icon was in the stands with his family, and he shared the moment on social media. He wrote in Spanish that it was a huge privilege to watch Argentina in a World Cup for the first time with his family and to see the number 10 become the tournament’s top scorer. The photo shows Ginobili smiling in the crowd with a backdrop of the pitch. Pure joy.
Messi’s been carrying Argentina on his back again
Through two games in this tournament, Messi has scored all five of Argentina’s goals. A hat trick against Algeria to open the group stage, then two more against Austria to claim the record. He passed Kylian Mbappe and Miroslav Klose to get there. Klose held the record at 16 goals across four World Cups. Messi just blew past him in three appearances. That’s not normal.
Argentina already locked up a spot in the Round of 32. Their next game is against Jordan, and they’re playing for seeding. But honestly, the way Messi is playing, seeding might not matter much.
Two Argentine legends in one stadium
Ginobili is the kind of athlete who doesn’t need an introduction but deserves one anyway. Four NBA championships with the Spurs. The greatest sixth man in league history, probably. And he led Argentina’s basketball team to the gold medal in 2004, beating Team USA along the way. That’s still the only time the U.S. men’s basketball team has lost in the Olympics since professionals were allowed.
So you had two of the most important athletes in Argentine history in the same building. One on the field rewriting the record books. One in the stands watching like a fan. Messi and Ginobili both have statues in their country’s memory, but Monday night was a reminder that they’re still alive and still adding to their stories.
Argentina plays Jordan later this week. Messi will probably score again. Ginobili might be watching from home next time, but he’ll never forget this one.
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