DALLAS — The world watched Lionel Messi etch his name deeper into football immortality on Monday night. And watching from the stands, alongside her two sons, was one of the biggest stars on the planet: Shakira.
The Colombian Grammy-winning singer was a prominent fixture in the Dallas Stadium crowd as Argentina secured a 2-0 victory over Austria in their second Group J match. The official broadcast caught Shakira on multiple occasions, following the action intently as Messi delivered yet another masterclass.
And what a masterclass it was. Messi scored a goal in each half—his first breaking the all-time World Cup scoring record, his second extending it further. The Argentine captain now stands alone on 18 World Cup goals across six tournaments, surpassing the previous record of 16 held by Germany’s Miroslav Klose for more than a decade. It came after Messi had already scored a hat-trick against Algeria in Argentina’s opener, which had brought him level with Klose.
After the final whistle, Shakira took to her official Instagram story with a tribute that captured the moment’s significance beyond the numbers.
“Very proud of you, Leo, and of everything you’re achieving for your family, your country, and all Latinos!!! ” she wrote alongside a photo of a celebrating Messi. “Your commitment and dedication are an example to many. Keep shining!”
The tribute carried particular weight given Shakira’s long-standing connection to the Argentine superstar. During her relationship with former Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué, Shakira regularly watched Messi play a key role in the club’s most successful era. Though she and Piqué split in 2022, her admiration for Messi has clearly not faded. Shakira also shared years with Messi and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo during their time in Barcelona.
The 49-year-old singer, who received a rapturous reception from fans—prompting her to wave and blow kisses in appreciation—is no stranger to World Cup glory herself. She performed the official song for South Africa 2010 (Waka Waka), Brazil 2014 (La La La), and has recorded Dai Dai with Burna Boy for the official 2026 album.
The victory secured Argentina’s qualification for the Round of 32 as defending champions. With five goals already in the tournament, Messi has powered his side to two commanding wins.
The record race, however, is far from over. France’s Kylian Mbappé has also climbed the all-time standings with two braces in the competition, now sitting level with Klose on 16 goals—just two behind Messi. Both superstars remain active in the tournament.
For now, though, the Argentina captain holds the advantage after another decisive World Cup performance. And as Shakira’s message made clear, for millions across Latin America, this was not just another record—it was another reminder of the legacy Messi continues to build.
