The spotlight in Atlanta falls on two of the greatest players of their generation as the Argentine Lionel Messi and in Egypt Mohamed Salah meet somewhere in the next round at stake.One would go on to build a distinguished international career. Another could be making his final World Cup appearance.Messi completed football by leading Argentina to the World Cup title four years ago, but the 39-year-old continues to rewrite the record books. He enters the game with seven goals in four games in this tournament, tied with Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race. He has also scored in eight consecutive World Cup matches dating back to Argentina’s 2022 title, increasing his overall World Cup tally to 20 goals.Salah, meanwhile, remains the face of Egyptian football. The 34-year-old is a four-time Premier League Golden Boot winner and the competition’s all-time leading foreign-born scorer, but his international legacy continues to grow.He has scored 66 goals in 118 games for Egypt, the second highest total in the country’s history, sitting just three behind national team coach Hossam Hassan’s 69. Salah also owns Egypt’s World Cup scoring record with three goals.Beyond the goals, Salah helped Egypt reach unprecedented heights on the global stage. The Pharaohs claimed their first ever World Cup victory by beating New Zealand 3-1 in the group stage before securing their first knockout-stage win by eliminating Australia on penalties after a 1-1 draw.The difference in international resumes is amazing. Messi amassed 124 goals in 203 games for Argentina while winning the World Cup and Copa America, making him his country’s all-time leading scorer. Salah’s 66 goals in 118 caps highlight his importance to Egypt, with almost 56% of his international appearances ending in a goal.
Lionel Messi vs. Mohamed Salah. A look at their international numbers
Whether or not this will be Salah’s last World Cup remains uncertain. The same is true for Messi, who has yet to commit to another international tournament.For now, however, the two icons have one more chance to add a chapter to their international legacies, with only one guarantee to keep the dream alive.