Lionel Messi's stunning performances at the 2026 World Cup have led Argentina's media to highlight a 24-year curse that the team must overcome. The 39-year-old scored his sixth goal of the tournament in a 3-1 win over Jordan, becoming the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches. However, the country's leading sports publication, Diario Ole, warns that no team with a perfect group stage record has won the World Cup since Brazil in 2002.
Messi's Historic Form Raises Hopes and Fears
Messi came off the bench in the 60th minute against Jordan and curled a free-kick into the net, wrong-footing the goalkeeper. This goal pushed his overall World Cup tally to 19, having earlier broken Miroslav Klose's record for most goals by a single player. Argentina finished the group stage with nine points from three wins, fueling belief that they could become the first nation to defend the title since Brazil in 1962.
However, Diario Ole cautioned that a flawless group stage can create a false sense of dominance, leading to psychological collapse in the knockout rounds. The publication noted that Brazil's perfect run in 2002 was a rare exception. Argentina's opening defeat to Saudi Arabia in the 2022 World Cup was cited as an example that the tournament is never won during the group stage.
The Curse of Perfection
According to Diario Ole, the last team to win the World Cup after a perfect group stage was Brazil in 2002, who went on to win all seven matches. Since then, no team has achieved the feat. The article expressed concern that Argentina, propelled by Messi, may have peaked too early. The challenge now is for Messi to deliver his best performances in the later rounds, where opposition will be far more formidable.
Argentina next face Cape Verde in the newly introduced last-32 round. Messi's ability to replicate his 2022 knockout form—where he scored five crucial goals against Australia, the Netherlands, Croatia, and France—will be key. In that tournament, Argentina beat France on penalties in the final.
Messi's Legacy on the Line
Messi has already etched his name in history with eight Ballon d'Or awards and a record 19 World Cup goals. Yet, the curse adds pressure on the legendary No. 10 to break new ground. The Argentine media has set him the task of making history once more, as he has done throughout his career. Scaloni's side will need Messi's magic in the knockout stages to secure a fourth World Cup trophy.
