Home/Articles/FC
FC·June 22, 2026 04:40 PM ET

Messi Waves Off World Cup Goal Record Talk: 'I Am Tired, Just Want to Enjoy the Win'

Messi deflects record chase after big win.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jun 221 min read
Post on X
FC
🚨🇦🇷 Lionel Messi when asked how many World Cup goals he can reach: “I am tired now, I’m not thinking about that. I just

What happened: Asked how many World Cup goals he can ultimately reach, Lionel Messi declined to set a target, saying he was too drained to think about milestones. "I am tired now, I'm not thinking about that. I just want to enjoy the win with my teammates," he said.

Why it matters: The deflection lands as Messi sits atop the World Cup scoring conversation, having tied the all-time World Cup goal record with a hat trick against Algeria. His refusal to chase a number keeps the focus on Argentina's run rather than personal tallies, even as every goal now rewrites the tournament's history books.

By the numbers: Messi reached 16 career World Cup goals to match the competition's all-time record, climbing the all-time list across the opening stage of the 2026 tournament.

What to watch: Watch whether Messi adds to his record-tying total in Argentina's next match and how he manages workload after admitting fatigue.

Sources

More on Lionel Messi

CONVERSATION
Loading comments…
SoccerAnalysisLionel Messi
WR Pro
The day's sports, briefed to your inbox at 7am ET. Every claim sourced.
$9/monthFree weekly newsletter →
RELATED STORIES
← Back to Wire Report