Lionel Messi sets unique World Cup history but can only meet Cristiano Ronaldo in the final

Lionel Messi was called an alien as he scored in a record-setting seventh consecutive World Cup game as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1.

On the week of his 39th birthday, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner stepped off the bench to bag a sumptuous free-kick in Dallas.

Getty

It was a goal that saw Messi make World Cup history as the first man to score in seven straight matches at the tournament finals.

The Inter Miami star’s epic run stretches back to the last-16 in Qatar, where he bagged the opener in the 2-1 win over Australia.

In fact, Messi’s last World Cup shutout came in Argentina’s third and final group game four years ago as he missed a penalty during a 2-0 victory over Poland.

At the same stage this time around, the Barcelona icon moved clear of France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil hero Jairzinho with his record-breaking goal against Jordan, despite also making tournament history by missing a spot-kick on matchday two.

In total, Messi has now contributed to 11 goals and two assists in his last seven World Cup games and is top of the Golden Boot standings.

“Erling Haaland as well, Vinicius Junior, all on four,” European football expert Kevin Hatchard said on talkSPORT commentary.

“But the great man’s going to take some catching. And if Argentina do go deep in the tournament, as we think they will, he’s the man who takes the free kicks, he’s the man who takes the penalties, he’s the man who scores all types of goals.

“I mean, he’s just an extraordinary weapon to have in the team.”

Tash Dowie added: “In my lifetime, I’ve never seen it before. I’ve never seen a style of play with regard to the walking side of things.

“I think what makes it even more special, I think you said it there, any other player on the pitch could probably have 50 to 100 touches and still not be as effective as a Lionel Messi in probably one or two touches. And I think that’s what just sets him apart.”

Getty

How does Messi keep doing it?

South American football expert Nathan Joyes, host of The Copa Club Podcast, told Max Scott and Tony Cascarino on talkSPORT’s World Cup Weekender: “I think if I had the answer to that, I’d be a very rich man.

“It doesn’t matter what age he is. He still has that hunger and that drive.

“But I think what works so well with Argentina, this has been a settled side now for at least eight years.

“Very different to a lot of other South American nations coming into this. Obviously, world champions, but Messi has that free role.

“There’s so much attacking talent within Argentina’s side that other nations have to worry about. You’ve got Thiago Almada, Nico Paz, and Lautaro Martinez.

Getty

“So Messi just has this free role where he can just do what he wants, pick up the ball. And they just attacked with such numbers and with pace, and obviously the quality there.

“Other nations just struggle, and against the likes of Algeria, Jordan, et cetera, they’ve had it easy so far.

“They’ve not had to step out of second gear, but that’s just allowed Messi to do what he does best. And he’s a freak. He’s an alien. He’s been called it all.

“But at the age of 39, what he’s still doing, especially that free-kick last night, he’s probably one goal away from the golden boot already, which is crazy to say.

“But yeah, I think it’s because of how settled they are and just the four, five, six that they have in the final third. So dangerous. Messi will always find space, and they’ll make sure that they find space for him.”

Can Messi play Ronaldo in World Cup?

There was a scenario in which the final chapter of football’s most epic rivalry was written early in the tournament knockout stages.

Messi’s Argentina would have been involved in their first competitive international against Ronaldo and Portugal in the quarter-finals.

It would have also been the first meeting between the two countries at the World Cup, but required them both to top their groups.

Getty

Argentina held up their end of the bargain, with Messi’s heroics in each of their first three games guaranteeing them first in Group J.

However, Portugal’s goalless draw against Colombia saw Roberto Martinez‘s men finish second behind La Tricolor in Group K.

As a result, Ronaldo and Co. are now on the opposite side of the knockout bracket from Messi’s reigning World Cup champions.

It means that a possible showdown between football’s GOATs now won’t be possible unless Portugal and Argentina reach the final.