Lionel Messi's skills still boast overwhelming destructive power, as if mocking the passage of time. The hat trick he scored in the first group match against Algeria was a decisive moment that proved why Messi is still at the top of the soccer world. With this performance, Messi reached the milestone of 16 goals in the World Cup, putting him on par with German legend Miroslav Klose. Now, if he adds just one more goal against Austria, he will win the unprecedented title of being the single highest scorer in a World Cup. This is more than just a record-breaking process, it is evaluated as the process of the greatest player in soccer history completing his final puzzle.

However, the environment surrounding Messi is by no means calm. Recently, the worst misinformation incident occurred, where an Argentine broadcaster broadcast live the false news that Messi's father had died, shocking the entire country. This incident was a tragic event caused by Messi's personal suffering and the public's excessive interest in him, and caused a huge stir, including the dismissal of all broadcasters involved. As the image of Messi wiping away tears in the stadium right after the match against Algeria was pitiful in conjunction with his father's struggle with illness, this fake news uproar once again made us realize the psychological weight that Messi was carrying. Despite this, he continues to prepare for the game without hesitation, showing his determination to prove his worth solely through his skills.

Off the pitch, the desire for Messi is taking physical form. The world's largest statue of Messi, measuring 26 meters high and weighing 70 tons, was erected in his hometown, Cutralco, Neuquén, Argentina, to symbolically show the people's love for him. In contrast to the removal of a statue erected in Kolkata, India in the past, this is an example that clearly reveals what the Argentine people regard as Messi. Messi's statue is more than just a statue, it has become the pride of Argentine soccer and a cultural icon that permeates the World Cup in North and Central America. These national expectations and support are a great strength to Messi, but at the same time, there is a possibility that it will act as a considerable burden to do his best in every game.

The upcoming second match against Austria will be a real test for Messi. Austria, led by coach Ralf Rangnick, is an ambush in modern football with strong forward pressure and organized defense, and has already proven its power by defeating Jordan. The solid defense led by David Alaba and the active midfield centered on Marcel Sabitzer are expected to persistently harass Argentina's attack. In particular, Argentina is facing the variable of starting fullback Gonzalo Montiel missing due to injury, so Messi's ability to relieve pressure and link play using his teammates have become more important than ever. If Messi overcomes this organized pressure and scores or assists, Argentina will finish first in the group, advance to the round of 32, and be on a solid path to winning the title.