‘On a level on his own’ – Praise galore for record breaking Messi | OneFootball

Lionel Messi scored twice to become the all-time top goalscorer as Argentina defeated Austria 2-0.

The Argentine scored his record-breaking 17th and 18th goals at World Cup finals, despite missing an early first-half penalty, as the current tournament holders secured their place in the knockout rounds.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni says he has no words left to describe his captain’s brilliance.

“I think that even today, when the team was suffering without having the ball, he (Messi) worked, he won the ball back, he intercepted it in the play that led to the goal, you could see that he was committed. And that, that’s for a reason. Being committed like that, it comes from somewhere.

“That’s what he generates. It’s impressive, and well, we’re happy. I don’t even know what else to say anymore (about Messi). I don’t know, it’s even getting tiring.”

Austria manager Ralf Rangnick believes despite his age, Messi was a class above everyone.

“If someone is 39 years old, and can score two goals, and five goals overall at the beginning of a World Cup, well that makes a difference. We knew that he is on a level on his own, and Lionel Messi showed us today that he is one of the best, or that he is the best.”