Lionel Messi just did something no footballer has ever done. The Argentine forward has now scored in eight consecutive FIFA World Cup matches, a streak that spans two tournaments and four years of defying every reasonable expectation about what a 39-year-old can do on the world’s biggest stage.
The record-extending goal came against Cape Verde in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup, hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico. It followed a free-kick goal against Jordan during group-stage play in Dallas around June 27-28. That’s eight straight World Cup appearances with at least one goal, a feat that eluded legends like Brazil’s Jairzinho and France’s Just Fontaine.
The streak, game by game
Messi’s run of consecutive World Cup scoring matches bridges two tournaments. The first four came during Argentina’s triumphant 2022 campaign in Qatar, with goals against Australia, Netherlands, Croatia, and France.
Then came the 2026 edition, where Messi opened his account against Algeria, followed it up against Austria, curled in the free kick against Jordan, and then punished Cape Verde to make it eight in a row.
