As the 2026 World Cup kicks off across North America, Lionel Messi carries Argentina’s hopes of a second consecutive title and the weight of a personal milestone within reach. The 37-year-old has scored 13 goals across five tournaments, leaving him needing four more to surpass Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16 World Cup strikes. Klose, the former German striker, has publicly welcomed the prospect, stating his hope that the mark will fall during this edition. From Buenos Aires, the captain’s quest is framed as a final chapter of a transcendent career, one that could settle the long-running debate over football’s greatest player.

The tournament’s expansion to 48 teams, with an additional knockout round and more group-stage mismatches, creates historically favourable conditions for prolific scoring. Just Fontaine’s 13-goal feat for France in 1958 — the most in a single World Cup — has stood for generations, but analysts in Europe note that the new format could see that record challenged. The early Golden Boot race has already thrown up surprises, with live standings briefly led by little-known names, underscoring the unpredictable nature of a competition that now offers attackers up to eight matches.

While Messi’s pursuit dominates narratives in South America, European contenders present formidable obstacles. Kylian Mbappé, already with 12 World Cup goals at age 27, and England’s Harry Kane, the Bundesliga’s record-breaking scorer, are widely tipped as favourites for the Golden Boot. The enduring subplot of Messi’s rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, who has defined two decades of the sport, resonates from Moscow to Milan, though the Portuguese’s chances of adding to his own tally appear slimmer. Still, the contest for historical legacy lends this tournament a rare gravity.

Whether Messi can summon the four goals likely required is a question that hinges on Argentina’s deep run. The expanded schedule could aid him, but it also demands sustained brilliance from an ageing maestro, supported by a squad rejuvenated by young talent. Should he succeed, the record would be a crowning achievement in a career that has reshaped the game’s parameters. As the world watches, the 2026 World Cup is poised not only to crown a champion but to redefine the pantheon of greatness.