From retirement to records - another immortal Messi moment

Lionel Messi, on the cusp of his 39th birthday, continues to shatter records, cementing his legacy as one of football's greatest.

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For me, the national team is over. I've done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion.

In a remarkable turn of events since his 2016 international retirement, Messi has guided Argentina to unprecedented success. After a heartbreaking loss and his subsequent vow to step away from international duty, he has since led his nation to two Copa America titles and, crucially, the 2022 World Cup. This triumph, the first for Argentina since 1986, saw Messi score seven goals, including two in the final.

His latest feat came during a match against Austria, where he netted both goals in a 2-0 victory. This performance not only secured another win for Argentina but also propelled him past Miroslav Klose to become the World Cup's all-time leading scorer with 18 goals. "I enjoy playing and having a good time on the pitch," Messi stated after the game. "We enjoy seeing the people like this too, being able to give them this kind of joy."

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I enjoy playing and having a good time on the pitch. We enjoy seeing the people like this too, being able to give them this kind of joy.

Remarkably, a significant portion of Messi's World Cup success has come after he turned 35. His ability to maintain peak performance and physical condition, even at this stage of his career, has astounded many. Football journalist Guillem Balague noted on BBC Radio 5 Live, "We don't have time to create statues for Lionel Messi or deep analysis for him in newspapers. We cannot keep pace." Messi's enduring passion and physical prowess, as evidenced by his continued ability to play full matches, underscore his unparalleled dedication to the sport.

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We don't have time to create statues for Lionel Messi or deep analysis for him in newspapers. We cannot keep pace.