Updated
Updated · NBC News · Jun 22
Messi Chases 17th World Cup Goal Against Austria, Breaking Klose's Record
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Jun 22

Messi Chases 17th World Cup Goal Against Austria, Breaking Klose's Record

3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jun 22

Summary

  • Dallas hosts Argentina vs. Austria with Lionel Messi one goal from becoming the World Cup’s outright top scorer after drawing level with Miroslav Klose on 16.
  • Messi reached that mark with a hat trick against Algeria earlier in the tournament, putting the 38-year-old within immediate range of a 17th career World Cup goal.
  • France’s Kylian Mbappé also takes the field later against Iraq on 14 World Cup goals, while Norway’s Erling Haaland looks to add to his early tournament tally against Senegal.
  • An estimated 100,000 Argentina fans are expected in North Texas for the match, underscoring the scale of Messi-driven attention around the defending champions.

Insights

Beyond the goals, is Messi's final act cementing an international legacy or building a billion-dollar American soccer empire?
Is Messi's success his own discipline or Inter Miami's strategy of building an entire ecosystem around one star player?
Is Messi's age-defying brilliance a personal miracle or a new blueprint for athletes powered by AI and science?