With 28 games for Argentina, Messi expands his record in World Cups and approaches the tournament’s historic artillery
Lionel Messi continues to expand his collection of historic feats during the current edition of the World Cup, seeking not only the overall top scorer, but also elevating already established brands. This Monday (22), the Argentine star plays his 28th match in the championship, consolidating himself as the athlete with the most games in the history of the tournament.
The Argentine player had surpassed German Lothar Matthäus’ record of 25 matches during the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, when Argentina won the title. In his sixth appearance at the World Cup and at the age of 39, he now continues to improve on that expressive mark, a testament to his longevity in the sport.
Following the list of athletes with the most appearances in World Cups are Miroslav Klose, a former German striker, with 24 appearances, and the Italian Paolo Maldini, who has played 23 games. This last number is the same as that of Cristiano Ronaldo, who, even during the group stage of the current championship, hopes to equal Matthäus’ achievement.
In addition to his impressive match count, Messi’s performance in this round could also mean his rise to the position of single greatest scorer in World Cup history. He started the match with 16 goals, tied with Klose.
Duels between Argentina and Austria in the world championship
The teams of Argentina and Austria face each other in the second round of Group J of the World Cup, with both seeking to secure an early place in the knockout stage of the competition.
Given the great expectations regarding the Argentine star’s performance, predictive model analyzes indicate considerable favoritism for the South American team, with chances of victory greater than 50%. However, the real scenario of the match may present surprises. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to some crucial points in the game that takes place this Monday.
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Pressure strategy of the Austrian team on the field
Coach Ralf Rangnick is recognized for developing offensive tactical formations, with vertical plays and intense pressure on opponents’ ball release. Diferente do último jogo contra a Argélia, onde Messi teve mais liberdade, é provável que o camisa 10 enfrente uma marcação mais acirrada neste confronto.
The Austrian team has the potential to complicate the construction of Argentine plays and limit the number 10’s areas of activity, demanding greater inventiveness from the other players to use it. However, the Austrians’ strategy is not restricted to just neutralizing Messi. The technical committee is aware that the threat can arise from several fronts, which will require collective and quite intense marking. The excellence of Argentine athletes was even highlighted by Rangnick himself in a press conference, stating that the South American team “is much more” than just Lionel Messi, praising the dedication and talent of the other members of the squad.
Control of Lionel Messi’s physical condition
Although there is no need for additional incentive for Lionel Messi to demonstrate his talent on the pitch, the opportunity to become the single greatest scorer in the history of World Cups certainly serves as an extra incentive for the star. Therefore, his performance and posture during the match deserve attention.
In his debut match in the tournament, it was remarkable to see him make an effort in marking and tackling, including close to the touchline. This physical commitment raises questions about a fundamental aspect: his playing time in the competition. On the eve of turning 39, the number 10 has his number of minutes carefully managed, which underlines the importance of each performance. In the previous game against Algeria, he was substituted — a rare occurrence, which had only happened twice in his World Cup career.
Impact of hydration stops on departure
Even though it will be held in a covered and air-conditioned stadium, the match will feature two mandatory breaks for hydration. Lionel Scaloni, Argentina’s coach, emphasized that these interruptions act almost like mini-breaks, offering chances to make tactical adaptations during each half of the game.
“The heat and frequent interruptions can benefit the team that is theoretically less favored,” declared Scaloni. “Ultimately, the objective is to increase the time the ball is rolling, but the impression is that it has become a little fragmented. This idea of four game halves seems unrealistic.”
