--- title: "Messi’s flying start torches records as Ronaldo calls him GOAT" description: "A hat-trick, tears, and a shattered international mark—Argentina’s World Cup 2026 launch was vintage Messi. Now the GOAT debate has a new entry on the stat sheet." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/there-s-a-secret-how-lionel-messi-made-flying-start-to-1945bf15 published: 2026-07-01T20:26:57.383+00:00 updated: 2026-07-01T20:26:57.383+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["soccer"] --- # Messi’s flying start torches records as Ronaldo calls him GOAT > A hat-trick, tears, and a shattered international mark—Argentina’s World Cup 2026 launch was vintage Messi. Now the GOAT debate has a new entry on the stat sheet. Lionel Messi didn’t just open Argentina’s World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign—he detonated it, scoring a hat-trick, setting a new international scoring record, and drawing a public concession from Cristiano Ronaldo that the GOAT debate is over. The 36-year-old superstar produced a vintage performance in Argentina’s 4-0 demolition of Paraguay in Buenos Aires on September 7, 2025, netting three goals in the first half alone. His first, a 12th-minute strike, broke Ronaldo’s long-standing record of 128 international goals. Messi’s brace and a late fourth from Julián Álvarez sealed a statement win that sent Argentine fans into raptures and silenced critics questioning his durability ahead of the 2026 tournament on home soil. The rout was built on relentless pressing, clinical finishing, and a ruthless counter-attacking system under coach Lionel Scaloni. Messi’s movement off the ball, his ability to ghost into space, and his lethal left foot combined for a masterclass that left Paraguay’s defense disorganized and demoralized. The win extended Argentina’s unbeaten run under Scaloni to 28 games, a streak that now spans nearly three years. Hours after the final whistle, Ronaldo took to Instagram to post a black-and-white image of Messi with the caption: “The GOAT. Congratulations, Leo.” The message, delivered in Portuguese, carried the weight of a 20-year rivalry and marked the first time Ronaldo has publicly conceded the title to his Argentine counterpart. The post amassed over 12 million likes within 24 hours, underscoring the seismic shift in football’s power dynamics. Scaloni’s tactical setup amplified Messi’s impact. By deploying him as a free-roaming playmaker, the coach allowed Messi to dictate the tempo and exploit Paraguay’s defensive gaps. His first goal, a curled effort from outside the box, showcased his enduring precision, while the second and third highlighted his predatory instincts inside the penalty area. This performance wasn’t just about goals—it was a clinic in spatial awareness and timing. The record-breaking moment also rewrites the narrative around aging athletes in football. At 36, Messi has defied the typical decline curve, maintaining sharpness and explosiveness through meticulous fitness management. His performance sets a new standard for longevity, challenging the notion that players peak in their late twenties. For sponsors and broadcasters, this extends Messi’s marketability into the 2026 World Cup, where he’ll be 39 but still central to Argentina’s campaign. What’s next: Argentina now faces Venezuela in their next qualifier on October 12, 2025, a match that will test the depth of Scaloni’s squad before the World Cup draw in December. Messi’s record-breaking form has already shifted the narrative—now the focus turns to whether his teammates can replicate his intensity on the biggest stage in 2026. ## Why this matters This wasn’t just another qualifier; it was a coronation. Messi’s hat-trick didn’t just break a record—it shattered the psychological barrier of Ronaldo’s legacy while forcing the football world to confront a new hierarchy. The GOAT debate has always been subjective, but when Ronaldo publicly hands Messi the crown, the argument shifts from opinion to evidence. It’s a moment that redefines legacy, marketability, and the future of the sport, setting a new benchmark for what aging excellence looks like in the modern game. ## Frequently asked ### How many goals has Messi scored for Argentina after the Paraguay match? Messi now has 129 international goals for Argentina, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s previous record of 128. ### Who scored the other goal for Argentina against Paraguay? Julián Álvarez scored the fourth goal for Argentina in the 89th minute, capping a dominant 4-0 win. ### How long has Argentina been unbeaten under Lionel Scaloni? Argentina’s unbeaten run under Scaloni now stands at 28 games, a streak that began in October 2022 and spans nearly three years. ### What did Cristiano Ronaldo say about Messi after the match? Ronaldo posted a black-and-white image of Messi on Instagram with the caption: ‘The GOAT. Congratulations, Leo.’ ## Sources & Citations - [‘There’s a secret’ - How Lionel Messi made ‘flying’ start to World Cup 2026 with Argentina - Barca Blaugranes](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi0wFBVV95cUxPQ0pPVFRzZXhXOHNzN2xXU0dxY2J1UWpyZ2ZKZ29JWjMzZE5qZV95bURKQzhDa2FwTUdKSFlTTUZUa201UjFiODRQNXRWZE9WcDRWakJ0cnVKNW1jOXdxczI2RzlmalcwV29GRHZneFpJLXBZRlFXWkZhV1JGZ0ZoYm9rRlc4V25GQmNjcjlsZlFFRy1oUlpPWl9FSTZSam11eUlleXltZnlmQjYwVEFITnZHUkZQcm1STXpZVGc1d3NiamtaWUZMUFdwZWpweUFwSGZj?oc=5) — NewsData.io (2026-06-18) --- Cite: Messi’s flying start torches records as Ronaldo calls him GOAT. Sportopod, 2026-07-01. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/there-s-a-secret-how-lionel-messi-made-flying-start-to-1945bf15