MIAMI: Lionel Messi has created another piece of FIFA World Cup history by becoming the first player to score seven goals in two different editions of the tournament.
The Argentina captain achieved the milestone during his side’s Round of 32 match against Cape Verde at Miami Stadium in Florida on Friday.
Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute after Lisandro Martinez sent a long ball from the back into the path of the Inter Miami forward. Messi controlled the pass with his first touch before lifting the ball over Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha with his second to find the roof of the net.
It was Messi’s seventh goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He had also scored seven goals in the 2022 edition in Qatar, where Argentina lifted the trophy.
Messi returned to Argentina’s starting line-up against Cape Verde after beginning the previous group-stage match against Jordan on the bench.
The match also marked another historic moment for the Argentine great, who became the first player ever to appear in 30 FIFA World Cup matches.
Messi has already set several records in the 2026 tournament. He became the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches and also registered his first World Cup hat-trick.
He has now taken his career World Cup tally to 20 goals.
