Messi Just Did Something No One Has Ever Done in World Cup History

Lionel Messi scored against Jordan in Argentina’s 3-1 win Sunday. That alone isn’t news anymore. But what that goal means for the record books is something else entirely.

Messi is now the first player in World Cup history to score in seven consecutive matches. Not bad for a guy who turns 40 next year.

Before Sunday, he was tied with France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil’s Jairzinho, who each scored in six straight World Cup games back in 1958 and 1970. Now he’s alone at the top. No one else has ever done it.

How the streak started

The run goes back to the 2022 World Cup round of 16 against Australia. Messi scored in that one and then found the net in Argentina’s final four matches in Qatar. At the 2026 tournament, he picked up right where he left off. He bagged a goal against Algeria in the opener and another against Austria in the group stage. Then came the free kick against Jordan.

Messi actually started that game on the bench. He came on around the 60th minute and curled a free kick into the top corner. The goal itself was vintage Messi. His touch on the ball, the arc, the placement. It looked like something he’s been doing for 20 years.

The goal also helped Messi tighten his grip on the Golden Boot race. He leads all scorers with six goals at this World Cup, ahead of a group that includes Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Erling Haaland, and Vinicius Junior. He opened with a hat trick against Algeria and added two more against Austria. The Golden Boot is the one individual award that has mostly eluded him across his career, and now it’s within reach.

Already the all-time leader

Messi already owns the record for most World Cup goals ever. He passed both Miroslav Klose and Marta earlier in this tournament. He’s now sitting on 19 career World Cup goals. That’s a number that feels untouchable, especially given the way modern tournaments are structured.

He’s also competing in his sixth World Cup, tying Cristiano Ronaldo for the most appearances by any player. At 39 years old, he’s still the guy Argentina leans on.

Argentina finished top of Group J with a perfect record. They’ll face Cape Verde in the round of 32 next. And Messi will get another chance to extend that streak to eight. At this point, you kind of have to assume he will.