Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Tens of thousands of jubilant fans stormed university campuses and city streets across Bangladesh on Monday, June 22, 2026, as Lionel Messi shattered the all‑time FIFA World Cup goalscoring record, sparking celebrations that stretched 17,000 kilometres from the stadium where the Argentine captain made history. The 38‑year‑old icon scored twice in Argentina’s 2‑0 victory over Austria at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, taking his World Cup tally to 18 goals and surpassing the previous record of 16 held by Germany’s Miroslav Klose.
The milestone was secured in the 38th minute of the Group J clash, when Messi swept home a cross from Facundo Medina to move past Klose. He had equalled the record earlier in the tournament with a hat‑trick against Algeria in Argentina’s opening match. The record‑breaking strike triggered an eruption of joy not just in Dallas, but across the South Asian nation of Bangladesh, where an estimated 70 million people – more than the entire population of Argentina – are believed to have supported the Albiceleste in the 2022 World Cup .
The epicentre of the celebration was the Daffodil International University (DIU) in Dhaka, where the student centre had organised a public viewing on a giant screen starting at 7:00 a.m. local time. Despite the early hour, the venue was packed with over 2,000 young fans who had stayed awake all night or woken up early to support their adopted team . When Messi scored his first goal, the crowd exploded. When the final whistle confirmed Argentina’s victory and his place in history, chaos ensued. Videos shared on social media showed a sea of sky‑blue‑and‑white flags and Argentina jerseys flooding the capital, with dozens of fans storming the stage set up for the event, waving flags and chanting “Messi, Messi!” . In another viral clip, thousands of supporters gathered at Dhaka University, turning the campus into a carnival of Argentine colours .
The celebrations were not confined to the university campuses. Across Dhaka, thousands took to the streets in massive motorcycle processions, while honking horns, blaring trumpets and the sound of firecrackers filled the air as fans celebrated deep into the night . Fireworks lit up the sky, and local television anchors came on air wearing Argentina shirts, demonstrating that the fever had even hit the newsrooms . Argentina’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Marcelo Carlos Cesa, was also present among the crowd at Dhaka University, witnessing the passion firsthand .
The bond between Bangladesh and Argentina is a unique cultural phenomenon that has puzzled and fascinated the football world for decades. The love affair traces its roots to the 1986 World Cup, when Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal against England resonated deeply with Bangladeshis, many of whom saw it as a symbolic victory for the underdog against a former colonial power. That sentiment has been seamlessly transferred to Messi, who has become a source of motivation and inspiration for millions. As one commentator noted, “at nearly 40, Messi continues to accept challenges… He inspires us, he encourages us” .
The celebrations also highlighted the immense popularity of the 38‑year‑old captain, who is already the record holder for the most World Cup appearances with 28 matches . He had started the tournament level with Klose on 16 goals but moved clear with his 18th, while Ronaldo (15), Gerd Müller (14) and Kylian Mbappé (14) follow behind .
For the fans in Bangladesh, Messi’s achievement was not just a football record – it was a shared triumph. With Argentina already through to the knockout stage, the country is once again dreaming of glory, and in Dhaka, the celebration is far from over.
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