Lionel MessiArgentina’s best performance in the game FIFA World Cup has praised former Barcelona team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who said the Argentina captain continues to do things that separate him from everyone else.After Messi scored twice in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria on Monday to become the top scorer in FIFA World Cup history, Ibrahimovic reflected on the 38-year-old’s feat.“You have moments when he looks like a man when you miss a penalty. Then you have moments when he doesn’t look like a man. That’s Messi.”“At the moment it’s his World Cup and he hasn’t played with Jordan yet. So I don’t know where he will finish,” Ibrahimovic said while talking to Fox sports.“Five goals in two games. I have zero goals in two world cups. So I’m happy with him and I hope he continues.”Messi set his record with his 17th World Cup goal before adding an 18th in stoppage time as defending champions Argentina secured a place in the knockout stages.The record-breaking strike came in the 38th minute, two days before Messi turned 39. It also came at a time when he was worried about his father’s health at home.The goal extended another remarkable goal streak for Messi, who has scored in six consecutive World Cup games. Only France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil’s Jairzinho have done so.Messi had equaled Germany’s Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals after scoring his first World Cup hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria in their Group J opener in Kansas City.He had a chance to go ahead of Klose against Austria but missed a penalty in the ninth minute.Argentina have now won their opening two group games and are through to the knockout stages. Messi has scored all five of Argentina’s goals in the tournament so far, his sixth in his World Cup campaign.His second goal of the game came in stoppage time. Goalkeeper Alexander Schlager saved his first attempt, but Messi also turned the ball past many defenders.The record came in the first half when Thiago Almada let Facundo Medina pass to Messi. From around 20 yards, the Argentina captain struck with his left foot after catching Schlager moving the wrong way.After the ball crossed the line, Messi ran to the corner flag and raised his right hand in celebration in front of a crowd of 70,649 at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.Monday’s match was Messi’s 28th appearance at the FIFA World Cup, extending his tournament record.
