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As the world searched for words, with Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni once again insisting that Lionel Messi simply defies explanation, the roar from the crowd said it all.

And then there were two.

The first came when Messi broke the World Cup scoring record with a sublime first-time finish, netting his 17th goal of the tournament. The second erupted as he surged forward with a trademark divine touch and unstoppable run, sealing Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria in spectacular fashion.

When Messi struck his record 18th goal, the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Texas echoed like Buenos Aires’ Bombonera, filled with fans who had travelled across continents just to witness greatness. But perhaps even ‘greatness’ no longer captures what he is achieving.

Even by his own extraordinary standards, this is becoming surreal.

It’s remarkable to recall that the 2022 World Cup was dominated by uncertainty — whether each match might be Messi’s last, whether he would ever accomplish his lifelong dream. The very tournament that once brought him anguish and sleepless nights, haunted by the 2014 final defeat, has now become the stage for his ultimate fulfilment.

Messi is now living out every dream and meeting every expectation that once surrounded his prodigious talent.

Messi, celebrating his goal against Austria, has now become not only the player with the most World Cup appearances but also the tournament’s all-time leading scorer. He could yet add a third Golden Ball, a first Golden Boot, and possibly—just possibly—a second World Cup winners’ medal.

In just two matches on American soil, Messi has already equalled the five-goal tally that earned Miroslav Klose the 2006 Golden Boot and Thomas Müller the same honour in 2010. With a group-stage fixture against Jordan still to come, could he even challenge Just Fontaine’s single-tournament record of 13 goals?

It’s hardly unthinkable, especially if he reaches eight goals before the knockout rounds begin.

Even without surpassing that, Messi’s current record already exceeds what anyone imagined back in 2006, when he scored his first World Cup goal against Serbia and Montenegro.

His World Cup legacy may now even surpass his legendary years at Barcelona.

In many respects, he stands alone.

The long-running debate with Cristiano Ronaldo always seemed somewhat absurd — not because Ronaldo wasn’t great, but because Messi was always operating on another plane. Now, Messi is proving that comparison was merely a historical curiosity.

That contrast also reveals something deeper.

Two days shy of his 39th birthday, Messi continues to perform at an astonishing level, while Ronaldo, now 41, appears every bit his age. This isn’t meant as criticism—Ronaldo’s longevity is remarkable—but rather to highlight just how extraordinary Messi remains.

While Ronaldo now labours with the fundamentals, Messi continues to glide effortlessly, doing things that few in history have ever managed. The difference underscores that Messi has always been the purer, more naturally gifted footballer—arguably the purest of them all.

Diego Maradona and Pelé carved their World Cup legacies decades ago, but Messi’s might soon eclipse even theirs.

Of course, his success also reflects how he is both the ultimate product of the modern era and a truly singular phenomenon. Yes, Messi benefited from advantages that footballers of previous generations never enjoyed, yet he also adapted his approach. After his fitness struggles in 2014, he began taking meticulous care of his body—more in line with Ronaldo’s regimen, though never to such extreme levels.

Remarkably, Messi now moves and plays much like he did a decade ago. Though his performances are more measured, the moments of brilliance still take the breath away.

His second goal against Austria was a perfect illustration of that magic.

It also emphasised how integral Messi remains to Argentina. This is a solid but unspectacular team beyond its talisman. At times, they looked uneasy under Austria’s pressing, and stronger opponents could well exploit those weaknesses to limit Messi’s influence.

But for now, those are questions for another day.

There can be no question about Messi himself—nor any debate about his place in football history.