World Cup 2026: Messi Says He's Exhausted After Scoring Two Goals Against Austria

Argentina star Lionel Messi admitted that the emotional experience of adding to World Cup history had left him exhausted.

Messi’s two goals in Argentina’s 2‑0 Group J win over Austria at the FIFA World Cup made him the competition’s all‑time leading scorer with 18 goals.

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After the match, the Inter Miami forward said he was pleased to have helped Argentina secure a place in the round of 32.

“I’m very happy with the win,” the 38‑year‑old Argentine captain said. “It was a hugely important victory, a tough one, and one we worked hard for. It gives us calm for what’s coming.”

“I had the penalty that I could have scored. Well, maybe had I done that, I wouldn’t have scored the others. You never know. But the truth is that the way it turned out today was spectacular. I’m happy about the results because of our participation and the teamwork.”

“I don’t remember, really,” he admitted with characteristic understatement.

“I’m tired. I don’t have a lot of strength and it’s hard to think for me right now. So I’m just enjoying this moment and I want to join my colleagues.”

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Messi’s first goal, a first‑time finish from Facundo Medina’s low cross in the 38th minute, moved him level with Brazilian great Marta on 17 World Cup goals across the men’s and women’s games.

He completed his brace five minutes into added time, capitalising on a surging counter‑attack to clean up his own rebound and fire low through traffic – taking him clear on his own with a historic new global benchmark of 18 goals.