Lionel Messi has built a reputation as one of football’s most reliable penalty takers, but even the Argentine superstar has experienced setbacks from the spot. The latest came during Argentina’s FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage clash against Austria, adding another miss to his otherwise impressive penalty record.
Austria becomes the latest World Cup setback
Messi failed to convert a penalty against Austria in Argentina’s Group J encounter at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The miss joined a short list of World Cup penalties that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has failed to score.
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Before the Austria match, Messi had also missed penalties against Iceland at the 2018 World Cup and Poland during Argentina’s victorious 2022 campaign in Qatar.
Lionel Messi MISSES a penalty wide right with a chance at the all-time World Cup record pic.twitter.com/Z6PRwThUFt
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) June 22, 2026
A remarkable record despite the misses
While the Austria miss drew attention, it does little to diminish Messi’s outstanding record from the penalty spot. Throughout his career with Argentina, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, he has scored well over 100 penalties and maintained a strong conversion rate.
Many of his most memorable goals have come from 12 yards, including several crucial strikes in major tournaments.
Turning disappointment into success
One of the defining features of Messi’s career has been his ability to respond to adversity. His missed penalty against Poland in the 2022 World Cup did not derail Argentina’s campaign. Instead, he went on to score key penalties in the knockout stages and the final as Argentina lifted the trophy.
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The miss against Austria is another reminder that even football’s greatest players are not perfect. However, Messi’s legacy has never been defined by the penalties he failed to score, but by the countless decisive moments he has delivered throughout an extraordinary career.
With every appearance, Messi continues to add new chapters to his story, and one missed penalty is unlikely to change the status he has earned as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
