During Sunday’s Round of 16 match between Argentina and Australia at the Al Rayyan Stadium, Lionel Messi scored his first-ever FIFA World Cup goal in a knockout game with a left-footed drive from within the box.
Adorning the Argentinian captain’s feet during the game were a pair of X Speedportal ‘Leyenda’ boots by Adidas. The golden colour scheme pays homage to Messi’s Adidas F30 boots from the 2006 World Cup, while the upper features a mix of black and white Three Stripe logo.
Also read: Watch Lionel Messi net first goal for Argentina vs Australia in FIFA World Cup 2022 Round of 16
The number 10 and Messi’s insignia is featured on the back of each boot’s heel, and some faint blue elements stand out on the collar, instep, and stud tips in an unmistakable homage to his own country. The soleplate gleams in golden chrome, reflecting all the success Messi has achieved to date.
Messi, whose eight goals prior to today’s came in the group stages, also surpassed Diego Maradona to surpass Gabriel Batistuta as the second-highest scorer for Argentina in FIFA World Cup history.
On this day, Messi not only made his 1000th appearance for club and country, but he also surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo on the list of all-time leading scorers.
He has scored three goals and provided one assist so far in the World Cup being played in Qatar.
This was Messi’s 789th goal of his senior career and his 13th goal in the past eight matches for club and country.
Given that this will be Messi’s final tournament appearance, he will exert all of his might to help his team win the competition.
The attacker for Paris Saint-Germain had declared that Qatar 2022 would be his final World Cup. In an interview with Star+ writer Sebastian Vignolo from South America in October, he remarked, “This will be my last World Cup for sure. The decision has been made.”
Also read: Watch: Qatar’s Khalifa Stadium lights up in tribute to Pele as he is moved to palliative care
Although he did not explicitly state that he would be quitting all international competition, it stands to reason that his announcement of his World Cup retirement could also mean the end of his international career.
