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

If you thought reaching the 18-goal mark and knocking down legend Miroslav Klose was the only miracle Lionel Messi performed against Austria, you're wrong.

The match was not just a 2-0 victory for Argentina, but a true "exhibition" of the anomalous statistics that the 38-year-old stamped in the history of the World Cup. Beyond the absolute record of the best scorer of all time, here are other rare statistics that prove once again that "The Flea" comes from another galaxy.

The confusing paradox of penalties

Genius sometimes comes with human flaws. With his mistake early in the match, Messi broke a double and rather strange record. He is officially the player who has taken the most penalties in World Cup history, a full seven, but at the same time 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 in six World Cups

No other human being has done this before. With his first goal against Austria, Messi confirms himself as the only player in football history to score in six different World Cups. It is a pure indicator of a sporting longevity that defies all logic and every physical limit.

The "oldest" double in history

His championship has become a battle against time. At 38, the Argentine captain becomes the oldest player to score two goals in a single World Cup match. He continues to outscore defenders and goalkeepers who can be almost half his age.

The absolute king of goal contributions

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

The collector of “Player of the Match” awards

This magical double naturally earned him another Man of the Match award. This accolade extends his record in the tournament's history for Man of the Match awards, a trophy he has practically made his own since the first day he stepped foot in this competition.

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