Messi has become the first player to score in the group stages, the round of 16, the quarter-final

Leo Messi has become the first player to score in the group stages, the round of 16, the quarter-final, the semi-final, and the final of the same World Cup

Whether it’s with Argentina or PSG, Messi is an absolute goal-machine

Lionel Messi has written his name into the elusive list of players to have scored a goal in a World Cup final by putting Argentina ahead in the summit clash of the 2022 edition against defending champions France at the Lusail Stadium.

Messi has achieved the unique distinction of becoming the first player in history to score all four knockout goals of a World Cup. The Argentine superstar scored in the Round of 16 against Australia from open play before netting from the penalty spot in the quarter-final against the Netherlands, semi-finals against Croatia, and the final against France.

This is Messi's sixth goal of the ongoing edition and his 12th in the competition's history. Messi has also become the player with the most appearances in the history of the competition by playing his 26th game in the competition

Interestingly, Messi did not have a single goal in a FIFA World Cup knockout match prior to the ongoing edition. He has played in four world cups before this but never managed to score in a game after the group stage. However, he did win the Player of the Tournament (Golden Ball) award in the 2014 edition when Argentina suffered a 1-0 defeat to Germany in the final.

Messi is all set to take the Golden Ball award once again in Qatar and has been in incredible form. He has scored six goals and has three assists to his name. The 7-time Ballon D'or winner is all set to win the Golden Boot award as his goal is likely to see him beat Julian Alvarez, Oliver Giroud, and Kylian Mbappe in the race.

Messi-starrer Argentina is closing in on a third title and the first in 36 years. They lifted the trophy in 1978 and 1986. They have lost the final thrice in history.

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