Messi Makes World Cup History

Lionel Messi broke the World Cup scoring record with his 17th career goal in Argentina's match against Austria in Texas on Monday, per the AP. The goal for a 1-0 lead came in the 38th minute—two days before Messi's 39th birthday and amid concerns for an ailing father back at home. It was the sixth consecutive World Cup game in which Messi has scored, and the goal came after Messi missed on a penalty kick earlier in the game. Messi had equaled Germany striker Miroslav Klose for the most goals in the World Cup at 16 with a hat trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria in the Group J opener last week.

The soccer star's father has been undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed illness, the family said in a statement last week while not providing any specifics. The 68-year-old Jorge Messi has played a key role in his third son's soccer career, acting as his agent and managing his business affairs off the field. Lionel Messi was overcome with emotion after scoring his first goal against Algeria, and he said after that match his tears came following some tough days not related to soccer.