Lionel Messi has been tasked with ending a 24-year World Cup curse by Argentina's media after leading his nation to a perfect group stage at the 2026 tournament. The 39-year-old scored his sixth goal of the tournament in a 3-1 victory over Jordan, coming off the bench to curl a free-kick past the wall and goalkeeper.
Messi made history by becoming the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches, extending his overall tally to 19 goals. He surpassed Miroslav Klose's record earlier in the tournament. Argentina's three group-stage victories have raised belief they could become the first nation to defend the title since Brazil in 1962.
Diario Ole highlights World Cup curse
However, Argentina's largest sports publication, Diario Ole, has tempered expectations by pointing out a curse dating back to 2002. No team that finished the group stage with a perfect record has gone on to win the tournament since Brazil. The outlet warned that a perfect group stage can create an illusion of dominance leading to a psychological crash in the knockout rounds.
Ole noted that Brazil were a rare exception, winning all seven matches in 2002. They used Argentina's opening defeat to Saudi Arabia in Qatar as evidence that the World Cup is never won in the group stage. There is a danger that Argentina, propelled by Messi, may have peaked too early.
Messi's challenge for knockout stages
As such, Messi has been set the challenge of making history again by delivering his best performances in the later rounds. Argentina next face Cape Verde in the newly introduced last-32 round. Messi carried Argentina through the knockout stages in 2022, scoring five goals against Australia, the Netherlands, Croatia, and France in the final.
According to Diario Ole, the true test for Messi and Argentina will come when they face tougher opposition in the knockout rounds. The team's perfect group stage record has raised expectations, but the curse serves as a reminder that success in the group stage does not guarantee ultimate victory.
