Lionel Messi scores the fastest goal of his career with an impressive effort after 79 seconds, the 35-year-old led his country to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar last year, arguably the culminating triumph in one of football’s greatest careers. And on Thursday, Messi enjoyed another historic moment by scoring his fastest goal ever.
Messi curled up an exquisite left-footed shot from the edge of the box 79 seconds into Argentina’s friendly against Australia in Beijing, the fastest of his professional career, according to South American soccer’s governing body. According to sports data group Gracenote, Messi has scored in every minute of a football match, apart from the first 60 seconds. He scored the most goals (16) in the 87th minute.
“Messi has given us everything as a footballer, it’s a pleasure to see him play. It’s on another level,” Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said after the match.
Argentina eventually beat Australia 2-0 with Real Betis defender German Pezzella doubling La Albiceleste’s lead in the second half. “We always enjoy being with the national team,” Messi said afterward. “It was difficult to play because of the heat and humidity, but above all we will continue with the same idea.
“Now that there are qualifiers for the World Cup and Copa America, it’s getting too far ahead thinking about the next World Cup. You have to enjoy what you have achieved.
“We have to think about what’s coming, a new cycle is starting. This continues, we cannot simply sit on what has already happened. We need to enjoy every meeting.”
The game had offered the chance to enact a modicum of revenge against Argentina after losing 2-1 to the eventual world champion in the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup, with Messi also scoring a brilliant goal on that occasion.
The match was played at the Workers’ Stadium in Beijing in front of thousands of adoring fans, many buying tickets just for the chance to watch Messi play.
During the match, videos on social media show a fan evading security personnel before hugging Messi.
A large number of fans have come to catch a glimpse of the striker, who last visited China in 2017 with his former club Barcelona.
He received an enthusiastic welcome from fans on Saturday after landing in Beijing ahead of the friendly against Australia.
“Messi” soon became the top trending topic on Chinese social media platform Weibo, while video footage showed hundreds of fans swarming at the entrance of the team’s hotel hoping to catch a glimpse of their idol.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner announced last Wednesday that he would be joining Major League Soccer team Inter Miami after his contract with PSG expires this summer. The blockbuster news reportedly caused ticket prices to skyrocket nearly 1,000% for some games in the United States.
Argentina will travel to Jakarta for a friendly against Indonesia on June 19.