Argentina forward Lionel Messi waves to the crowd as he leaves the pitch after a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
ARLINGTON — If this wasn’t already Lionel Messi’s world, it certainly is Lionel Messi’s World Cup, and he has made the most of his two games played at what we shall briefly call Dallas Stadium.
After opening the World Cup with a hat trick in a 3-0 victory over Algeria in Kansas City, Messi became the all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup play here Monday against Austria with his 17th (and later his 18th) goals in a 2-0 win.
Technically, Saturday’s late game against Jordan meant nothing in terms of when and where Argentina will play its first game in the knockout stage. Same for Jordan flying home this weekend after its initial World Cup experience. But try telling 70,000 soccer fans that an Argentina game means nothing or that, even with the announcement that Messi would not start, it was a night of soccer insignificance here Saturday.
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There was also the fair question to ask of who or whom might score goals for the defending World Cup champs since Messi had all five in the first two games.
As it turned out, Argentina does have other capable scorers with Giovani Lo Celso scoring on a free kick, a wicked hook that froze the Jordanian goalkeeper and maybe served as a bit of foreshadowing for later. Lautaro Martinez scored on a penalty kick for a 2-0 halftime lead.
Argentina forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring on a free kick during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Supporters of Jordan joins a large group of Argentina supporters as they jam the main concourse before a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Soccer fans pack the plaza outside Dallas Stadium before a World Cup Group J soccer match between Jordan and Argentina on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina supporters cheer as they walk the upper concourse before a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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A Jordan supporter holds a sign reading “We Sold Our Camel For These Tickers” before a World Cup Group J soccer match against Argentina on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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A supporter of Argentina wears face paint before a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Fans jam the main concourse before a World Cup Group J soccer match between Jordan and Argentina on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) leads his team as they take the pitch to warm up before a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) warms up before a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Soccer fans watch as Argentina forward Lionel Messi warms up on the pitch before a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi waves to fans before the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi is seen on screen during his nation’s anthem before a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) claps after the Argentine National Anthem before a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Player from Jordan (left) and Argentina join officials in a moment of silence for victims of the Venezuela earthquake before a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina midfielder Exequiel Palacios (14) controls the ball against Jordan defender Yazan al-Arab (5) during the first half of a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match in Arlington, Saturday, June 27, 2026.
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Argentina midfielder Giovani Lo Celso (11) is fouled by Jordan forward Mohannad Abu Taha (20) during the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Match official István Kovács issues a yellow card to Jordan forward Mohannad Abu Taha (center) after tackling Argentina midfielder Giovani Lo Celso (bottom right) during the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Jordan forward Mohannad Abu Taha (20) receives a yellow card from match official István Kovács for a foul against Argentina midfielder Giovani Lo Celso (11) during the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina midfielder Giovani Lo Celso (11) scores on a free-kick past Jordan goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila (1) during the first half of a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match in Arlington, Saturday, June 27, 2026.
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Argentina midfielder Giovani Lo Celso (11) scores on a free-kick from the top of the box during the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina midfielder Giovani Lo Celso (11) reacts after scoring a goal during the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina midfielder Giovani Lo Celso celebrates after he scored on a free-kick from the top of the box during the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina midfielder Giovani Lo Celso (left) celebrates his goal with teammates during the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina players celebrate around midfielder Giovani Lo Celso after he scored on a free-kick from the top of the box during the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Temmates and fans celebrate Argentina midfielder Giovani Lo Celso (11) after he scored on a free-kick from the top of the box during the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) looks up at the screen after Argentina midfielder Giovani Lo Celso scored on a free-kick from the top of the box during the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina defender Leonardo Balerdi (2) takes a boot to the face fromJordan midfielder Nizar al-Rashdan (21) during the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington. Argentina was awarded a penalty kick after video review.
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Argentina defender Leonardo Balerdi (2) reacts after being kicked in the face by a Jordan defender during the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington. Argentina was awarded a penalty kick after video review.
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Argentina forward Lautaro Martínez scores on a penalty kick during the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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A penalty kick by Argentina’s Lautaro Martínez beats Jordan goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila for a goal during the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lautaro Martínez (22) scores on a penalty kick past Jordan goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila (1) during the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lautaro Martínez celebrates after he scored on a penalty kick during the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Jordan forward Ali Olwan (9) fights for the ball against Argentina midfielder Exequiel Palacios (14) and forward Giuliano Simeone (17) during the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Jordan forward Ali Olwan (9) fights for the ball with Argentina midfielder Exequiel Palacios (14) and forward Giuliano Simeone (17) during the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina defender Nicolás Otamendi (19) heads the ball towards goal ahead of Jordan defender Abdallah Nasib (3) and defender Ihsan Haddad (23) during the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina defender Leonardo Balerdi (2) slides to the pitch as he clears the ball against Jordan forward Odeh al-Fakhouri (11) during the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Fans hold up lights during halftime of a World Cup Group J soccer match between Jordan and Argentina on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Jordan forward Musa al-Taamari scores a goal during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Argentina on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Fans react after Jordan forward Musa al-Taamari (10) scored a goal during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Argentina on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Jordan forward Musa al-Taamari (10) turns and reacts after scoring a goal past Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez (23) during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina defender Valentín Barco (8) reacts after being stepped on by Jordan defender Ihsan Haddad (23) during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lautaro Martínez (22) reacts after a missed shot during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) high-fives forward Lautaro Martínez (22) as he checks into the game during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) receives the captain’s arm band from defender Nicolás Otamendi (19) as he checks into the game during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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The screen shows Argentina substitutions, including Lionel Messi, during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) watches as Jordan forward Mohannad Abu Taha (20) heads the ball during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington
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A Jordan fan raises a sign about Argentina forward Lionel Messi during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) is fouled by Jordan midfielder Amer Jamous (6) during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Jordan midfielder Amer Jamous (6) fouls Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) as he makes a run outside the penalty box during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) is fouled by Jordan midfielder Amer Jamous (6) during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) looks on as match official István Kovács marks the spot of a free kick after he was fouled during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) scores on a free-kick from beyond the penalty circle during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) scores on a free kick during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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A free kick by Argentina forward Lionel Messi rips the net behind Jordan goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring on a free kick during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring on a free kick during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring on a free kick during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) points to the sky after scoring a goal during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) prepares to take a free kick as Jordan’s Husam Abudahab leaves the pitch on a stretcher during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) takes a free kick during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) shakes hands with match official István Kovács after a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington. Argentina defeated Jordan 3-1.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) waves to the crowd after a victory over Jordan in a World Cup Group J soccer match on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi waves to the crowd as he leaves the pitch after a World Cup Group J soccer match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Arlington.
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By the time Messi entered the game at the 60-minute mark, it was a 2-1 game as Jordan had prevented Argentina from leaving the group stage with three clean sheets. But after getting tripped up and earning a free kick from 24 meters out, Messi hooked one around the Jordanian wall of defenders that again gave the goalkeeper no chance of making a play on the ball.
While it’s true that Messi, who turned 39 this week, has been atop the soccer world for most of his career, leaving Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo in the dust in the argument for best in the sport years ago, bear in mind that what Messi has done in the last two World Cups is exceptional by his own standards. The man scored six goals in his first four World Cups. He was a magical player, but he wasn’t yet known for owning the biggest stage — one reason that Argentina had last won a World Cup with Diego Maradona and the whole “Hand of God” thing against England 40 years ago.
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But Messi scored seven goals in Qatar when Argentina ended its long run of World Cup silence. Now it seems there is little stopping him or his team. Maybe Group J wasn’t exactly the Group of Death, but outscoring opponents 8-1 in the last 11 days, the champs are displaying no sign of weakness.
Beyond that, they owned this stadium in a way Cowboys owner Jerry Jones only wishes his team could in a major game. Any visit from a Dallas rival of consequence brings out 15,000-20,000 visiting jerseys. Late Saturday night, though, the place was basically filled with something just shy of 70,000 Messi jerseys.
Related: Inside Lionel Messi Inc.: Whatever the soccer star touches turns to gold
Fans cheer as Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) and teammates celebrate after scoring on a free kick during the second half of a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Jordan at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, TX, Saturday, June 27, 2026.
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It has been a long time coming for Argentina to reach this level, and the team doesn’t seem interested in letting go. South America has actually stood atop the soccer world for a full century but Argentina had to wait its turn for more than half of that. It’s Uruguay that gets to wear four stars on its jersey, emblematic of four championships even if the first two (1924 and 1928) were Olympic Gold Medals that predated the World Cup. FIFA recognizes those victories along with the 1930 and 1950 Cups.
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Then it was Brazil’s turn, from Ademir to Pele to Ronaldo, to capture five World Cups over an extended period. Argentina finally broke through in 1978 and then won again with Maradona as captain in 1986. Yet something about those teams has been viewed as unrealized potential. Or as the great Pele said of Maradona, “My main doubt is whether he has sufficient greatness as a person to justify being honored by a worldwide audience.’’
Maradona was 21 at the time. But he would have really struggled in a social media era with his admitted cocaine use and affairs.
Messi flies above it all, even if he usually looks like the shortest player on the field and perhaps one of the least athletic. But goal scoring is unrelated to 40-yard dash times, even if France’s Kylian Mbappe (who might track down Messi in World Cup goals by 2030) could lay down a good one. No one has a better grasp of space or how to position teammates to consistently deliver knockout blows than Messi.
Other soccer greats are on their way to town. Norway’s massive Erling Haaland — sort of the anti-Messi at 6-5 — will try to Viking row his team into the Round of 16 here Tuesday afternoon against an upstart Ivory Coast team. Then Egypt’s Mohamed Salah will lead the Pharaohs against the Socceroos of Australia on Friday afternoon.
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Two more games will follow including a World Cup semifinal here July 14. Historic moments are virtually guaranteed. But the Messi Show has moved on to Miami, which should be familiar for him since the game’s greatest now serves as captain for Inter Miami in the MLS.
All I know is that he and Argentina’s massive fan base, forever locked in song, aren’t going anywhere quietly any time soon.