Lionel Messi became the number one goal scorer in the FIFA World Cup after scoring a goal in the FIFA World Cup semi-final against Croatia.
Argentine Footballer Lionel Messi’s tally of WC goals rose to 11 in 25 games after scoring a goal for Argentina on December 14, 2022, against Croatia.
Also read: FIFA World Cup 2022: Argentina’s 3-0 drubbing of Croatia their best-ever knockout performance
This Argentine captain has played at his best in this FIFA World Cup 2022.
Maradona, the 1986 World Cup winner has eight goals in 21 appearances in the World Cup for Argentina.
While Messi rose to number 1 on the list of most goals scored by an Argentina player, Diego Maradona is now on number 3. Argentina’s Gabriel Batistuta today slipped from the first position to the second with 10 goals scored in the World Cup.
FIFA World Cup 2022 will be Messi’s last World Cup and he is leaving no stone unturned in making the most of it. Messi won the Copa America 2021 and was runner-up in 2007, 2015 and 2016. He also won the CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions in 2022. Although he is one of the best footballers in the history of football and was runner-up in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, he has never won a World Cup title.
Maradona had a dream 1986 World Cup. He was 25, led his side, and played every minute of their World Cup journey, scoring five goals and providing five assists.
In the physical duel with the Netherlands Messi was one of 17 people — players or coaching staff — to be given a yellow card, which is a record for a World Cup game.
Against the Dutch it was Messi who carried the Argentina team on his shoulders. “The moment of magic came in the 35th minute. The Argentina number 10 received a pass from Nahuel Molina, who was deployed as a winger on the right flank after coach Lionel Scaloni’s tweaked formation. Molina continued his run towards the Dutch goal but Messi, it seemed, had few passing options.
Around 35 yards from the goal, Messi was surrounded by four players – one in front, who constantly shadowed him; one each on the left and right to close his angles; and the fourth closing in from behind. Ahead of him, Molina had run into a tiny pocket at the edge of the box but he too was surrounded by two defenders.
Despite no space to work with, Messi looked up with the corner of his eyes to spot Molina and cut the ball inside so delicately between two of the best defenders, Virgil van Dijk and Danny Blind, to put Molina through on goal. Molina did well to control the ball and dispatch it past the goalkeeper to score his first goal for Argentina, the Indian Express reported.
