​Lionel Messi goals since turning 30: How soccer legend compares to Pele, Maradona and more at age 39 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Lionel Messi has cemented his place as the best player in the world over the last two World Cups.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMessi led Argentina to the title in 2022, and this year has La Albiceleste two more wins away from back-to-back successes. While Messi previously underwhelmed at times in the World Cup, he found another level in his mid-to-late 30s.Messi’s dominance at his current age is rare, as soccer players don’t usually dominate after turning 30. However, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is part of a generation that has been able to extend their careers and continue playing in their primes for longer.Messi’s success late in his career has only enhanced his legendary status in the game. Here’s a breakdown of how he has done it.2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup ticketsAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMessi turned 39 years old on June 24 during his sixth World Cup appearance with Argentina. As a result, he made history as just one of two players to appear in six World Cups in their career, joining rival Cristiano Ronaldo with that record.Since he turned 30 years old on June 24, 2017, Messi has continued to produce at the all-time-best level. Messi has essentially had two separate great careers, one before turning 30 and one after, combining to become the consensus best player of all time.Here’s how many goals Messi scored since turning 30, as of June 14, 2026:AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementClub goals: 209National team goals: 71Total goals: 280Additionally, 16 of Messi’s 21 World Cup goals all came after his 30th birthday.MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:Printable World Cup bracketRanking remaining World Cup teams in semifinalsWorld Cup prize money breakdownMessi has put together the best World Cup performance of his career in the 2026 event, showing how he can still play at the highest level despite being in the twilight of his playing days. Here’s his stats in the 2026 World Cup leading into the semifinals:Matches: 6Minutes: 608Goals: 8Assists: 2Messi’s eight goals surpasses his seven from 2022 for his most in a single World Cup, and his 15 in the last two tournaments is an all-time great career in of itself.PelePele is still the most prolific goal-scorer ever, producing a Guinness World Record of 1,279 goals in his career (although this number is often disputed as it includes friendly and exhibition games). He turned 30 on October 23, 1970, and from 1971 on, he produced just 127 goals in club competition for Brazilian team Santos and the America-based team the New York Cosmos. Internationally, Pele had just one goal in 1971 and he didn’t appear in a World Cup after the age of 30.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDiego MaradonaMessi’s fellow Argentinian, Diego Maradon