“He’s an animal,” De Paul told DSports. “What makes me happiest is I feel that he’s enjoying it, that he doesn’t feel that pressure that he had for so long.”
The first goal was set up by De Paul. He received the ball at the halfway mark and perfectly played a pass between four Algerian players.
Messi collected the ball and turned. He took several dribbles before rotating the ball to his favored left foot. He drilled a shot to the corner of the net coming off of Algerian keeper Luca Zidane‘s finger tips and into the net. Arrowhead Stadium exploded in appreciation for Messi.
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Argentine player Lionel Messi plays with a ball during a training session at Herzogs Park, Herzogenaurach on June 6, 2006, ahead of the Fifa World Cup 2006.
(DANIEL GARCIA, AFP via Getty Images)
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Argentine player Lionel Messi plays with a ball during a training session at Herzogs Park, Herzogenaurach on June 6, 2006, ahead of the Fifa World Cup 2006.
(DANIEL GARCIA, AFP via Getty Images)
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Argentine players Lionel Messi (R) and Fabricio Coloccini sign autographs for supporters during a training session at Herzogs Park, Herzogenaurach on June 6, 2006, ahead of the Fifa World Cup 2006.
(DANIEL GARCIA, AFP via Getty Images)
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Argentinian forward Lionel Messi blows a bubble ahead of the quarter-final World Cup football match between Germany and Argentina at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on June 30, 2006.
(DANIEL GARCIA, AFP via Getty Images)
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Argentina’s footballer Lionel Messi shows off during a training session at the field of the Union Atletica in Maracaibo, Venezuela, on June 30, 2007.
(ALEJANDRO PAGNI, AFP via Getty Images)
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Argentina’s coach Diego Maradona hugs Argentina’s striker Lionel Messi after the 2010 World Cup quarter final Argentina vs Germany on July 3, 2010 at Green Point stadium in Cape Town. Germany won 4-0.
(JAVIER SORIANO, AFP via Getty Images)
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Argentina’s forward and captain Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Group F football match between Argentina and Bosnia Hercegovina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 15, 2014.
(JUAN MABROMATA, AFP via Getty Images)
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A fan tries to kiss the feet of Argentina’s Lionel Messi during the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier football match against Uruguay in Mendoza, Argentina, on Sept. 1, 2016.
(JUAN MABROMATA, AFP via Getty Images)
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Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi celebrates his goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018.
(KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV, AFP via Getty Images)
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Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Nigeria and Argentina at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
(Alex Livesey, Getty Images)
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Brazil’s Neymar (L) and Argentina’s Lionel Messi talk before their South American qualification football match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at the Neo Quimica Arena, also known as Corinthians Arena, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sept. 5, 2021.
(NELSON ALMEIDA, AFP via Getty Images)
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Team Argentina with Lionel Messi (R) of Argentina sing their national anthem prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium on Nov. 22, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Matthias Hangst, Getty Images)
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Lionel Messi of Argentina shows dejection during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium on Nov. 22, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Matthias Hangst, Getty Images)
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Lionel Messi of Argentina is fouled by Wojciech Szczesny of Poland which leads to a penalty during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Poland and Argentina at Stadium 974 on Nov. 30, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.
(Matthias Hangst, Getty Images)
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Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi celebrates after he scores his team’s second goal from the penalty spot during the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final football match between The Netherlands and Argentina at Lusail Stadium, north of Doha on Dec. 9, 2022.
(FRANCK FIFE, AFP via Getty Images)
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Fans of Argentina hold a flag depicting Argentine football stars Lionel Messi (L) and late Diego Maradona (R) while gathering at the Obelisk to celebrate winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup against France in Buenos Aires, on Dec. 18, 2022.
(EMILIANO LASALVIA, AFP via Getty Images)
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Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates after scoring the team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on Dec.18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Richard Heathcote, Getty Images)
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Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi kicks the ball during the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on Dec. 18, 2022.
(KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV, AFP via Getty Images)
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Lionel Messi of Argentina scores the team’s third goal past Hugo Lloris of France during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on Dec. 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Julian Finney, Getty Images)
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Lionel Messi of Argentina kisses the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy while holding the adidas Golden Boot award after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on Dec. 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Julian Finney, Getty Images)
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Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on Dec.18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Julian Finney, Getty Images)
Messi’s opening strike came in the 17th minute of play. The two Inter Miami players celebrated together enjoying the team’s opening goal of the tournament.
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“It’s hard to explain. We are amazed with him (Messi) even though we see him on a daily basis,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “He’s been the best for 20 years, he still pulls it off every single match. You don’t have to be an Argentine fan to admire him at age 38.”
It was the first time, outside of the United State national team, that two MLS players combined for a goal in World Cup history.
Five of De Paul’s last seven assists have scored Messi a goal for both club and country since November 2025.
When De Paul made his transfer to Miami, Scaloni was not discouraged at him making the move to the MLS from Atlético Madrid.
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“When he left for Inter (Miami), we are not interested in the leagues,” Scaloni said. “We care about the growth. He is playing at a very good level, his physicality is very good. When he plays with the people he knows, he plays well.”
During the first hydration break, Scaloni spoke to De Paul. He wanted more out of him when it came to intensity and focus. The conversation came mere minutes after Messi’s opening goal. De Paul delivered meeting his coach’s demands by playing all 90 minutes.
“He is very decisive,” Scaloni said. “When he relaxes, we all feel it. I asked him to give a little more. I am happy because I never hesitated to have him play in the game.”
In the stands, MLS commissioner Don Garber watched on as Messi made history and De Paul produced another strong performance.
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“MLS is a league that represents the rest of the world,” Garber said. “When I watch Argentina play, I might love the way that they play and love that they are world champions. But, Leo Messi and Rodrigo De Paul play for an MLS team in Miami and they are representing our league.”
In the midst of Messi madness, his teammates are playing with smiles on their faces, too. When Argentina plays with joy together, the team is unstoppable, a version they showed four years ago.
In the first game of Argentina’s World Cup title defense, De Paul met the moment with a precise pass setting Messi’s record night into motion.
“We all know his mentality, and he doesn’t let himself enjoy it much because he’s focused on helping us, the team.” De Paul said. “I think he’s good, happy, and I think that’s contagious in the group.”
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Liam Keating covers the World Cup in Kansas City for USA TODAY. He also covers high school sports and Washburn University for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at LKeating@gannett.com
