Forget the 18 goals! Discover the insane records Lionel Messi set in just 90 minutes against Austria!

If you thought reaching 18 goals and overtaking Miroslav Klose was the only miracle Lionel Messi achieved against Austria, you are wrong.

The match played was not just a 2–0 victory for Argentina, but a true “exhibition” of abnormal statistics that the 38-year-old etched into World Cup history. Beyond the absolute record of all-time top scorer, here are the other rare stats that once again prove that “La Pulga” comes from another galaxy.

The confusing penalty paradox

Genius sometimes comes with human flaws. With his miss early in the match, Messi broke a strange double record. He is officially the player who has taken the most penalties in World Cup history, a total of seven, but also the one who has missed the most, failing on three occasions. A statistic that shows the superhuman pressure he carries on his shoulders.

The only scorer across six World Cups

No other human being has ever done this before. With his first goal against Austria, Messi confirms himself as the only player in football history to have scored in six different World Cup editions. This is a clear indicator of a sporting longevity that defies all logic and physical limits.

The “oldest” brace in history

His tournament has turned into a battle won against time itself. At 38 years old, the Argentine captain becomes the oldest player to score two goals in a single World Cup match. He continues to outplay defenders and goalkeepers who are almost half his age.

The absolute king of goal contributions

With 18 goals scored and countless assists accumulated over the years, Lionel Messi has left names like Pelé and Gerd Müller behind by a massive margin. His direct involvement in Argentina’s goals (goals plus assists) has reached numbers that make other legends’ statistics look modest.

The collector of “Man of the Match” awards

This magical brace also secured him yet another “Man of the Match” award. This recognition further strengthens his absolute record in the history of the tournament for “Man of the Match” titles, a trophy he has practically made his own since the very first day he stepped onto this stage.

“KORÇA BOOM”