Messi: 'Records are Just Statistics, It's About Giving My Best'

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Lionel Messi, after a standout performance against Algeria where he scored a hat-trick, has equaled Miroslav Klose as the top scorer in World Cup history. "It's an honor to be up there with Klose, as well as Ronaldo, who is third in the rankings," Messi shared in a post-match interview. "But I believe these are just statistics, nothing more. Mbappé scored two goals today, and that's what really matters. It's satisfying to compete with players of this caliber." Despite his achievements, Messi stressed that individual records are not his priority. "I love playing football, it's been my passion since I was a child. When I'm physically and mentally fit, my aim is just to give my best," he stated. The Argentine captain also drew a parallel with other great athletes, mentioning Rafael Nadal: "I'm following his series, and I identify with him a lot. We share a similar mentality: always give your best and stay fit to keep competing. As long as I can do that, I'll continue." These words reaffirm Messi's focus on performance and the joy of playing, rather than individual accolades, even when it comes to historic World Cup records.

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