Messi's Last Dance: A Captain, a Tournament-Leading Goal, and a Release Seven Years in the Making
Lionel Messi had a penalty saved in the first half. Egypt built a 2-0 lead. For a moment, the defending champion's World Cup — and possibly Messi's final one — looked like it might end in the round of 16.
Then, in the 83rd minute, Messi scored to level the match at 2-2, his eighth goal of the tournament and enough to put him back atop the Golden Boot race, one clear of Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, who have each scored seven. He sprinted to the corner flag, jumped twice with a fist pump, and pointed to the stands at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Enzo Fernández's stoppage-time header completed the comeback moments later, and Messi was in tears by the final whistle — carried and thrown into the air by teammates in celebration.
"The truth is that it was a moment of release, a release for all of us."
— Lionel Messi, post-matchTeammates didn't hide what the moment meant. "It's his last World Cup and he's given us a lot," said Lautaro Martínez, who added that he'd told Messi on the field to enjoy the moment because he deserved it. Julián Álvarez went further: "There are no more words to describe him. The World Cup he's having is impressive. We're trying to help him, accompany him and enjoy every moment alongside him."
At 204 caps and 125 international goals since his 2005 debut, Messi has carried Argentina to the quarterfinals once more — this time against Switzerland on Saturday in Kansas City, with a shot at extending what may be his last run on the sport's biggest stage.