Lionel Messi equalizes Cristiano Ronaldo for World Cup goals, joins Pele and Miroslav Klose at exclusive club and beats Diego Maradona feat
It took just 10 minutes for Lionel Messi to score his first goal at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The Argentinian maestro scored a penalty early in their match against Saudi Arabia to kick off his quest for the trophy.
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Messi is ready to take part in the World Cup in Qatar
The decision to award the kick to the South American nation may have been a bit dubious, see the Harry Maguire incident on Monday, but Messi doesn’t really care.
It was the fourth World Cup the 35-year-old has scored at and his seventh goal overall.
His career is and will forever be linked to that of his rival Cristiano Ronaldo. Who also happens to have seven World Cup goals.
Messi also became the first Argentine player to score at four World Cups, eclipsing Diego Maradona and Gabriel Batistuta who both netted at three.
The Paris Saint-Germain star has now scored at the 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
He also joins a very elite club of players who have scored in four different tournaments.
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Ronaldo will have the chance to score at a fifth World Cup later this week
The others are Cristiano Ronaldo, Pelé, Miroslav Klose and Uwe Seeler.
It was the perfect start to the tournament for Messi, who before the start admitted it would be his last.
Argentina is one of the favorites to win the tournament taking place in Qatar.
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