Lionel Messi celebrates World Cup goal with Argentine journalist Joaquin Bruno

Lionel Messi scored his second goal of the Argentina‑Austria World Cup 2026 group match, his 18th World Cup goal, overtaking Miroslav Klose as the tournament’s all‑time top scorer. After the strike, Messi ran toward the advertising board behind the Austrian goal where Argentine reporter Joaquin Bruno of TyC Sports was positioned. Messi embraced Bruno, lifted his arms and looked him in the eye, a moment captured in a photo that quickly went viral.

Bruno described the encounter as “the most important moment of my professional and personal life,” calling it the “photo of my life.” He said he will frame the image for his family and keep it as a lasting memory of celebrating with “the greatest player of all time.”