Episode 3585: Messi, Messi, Messi, Rain Stops Play, Mbappé Makes Statement, Haaland Purrs
Lionel Messi has now scored more goals at the World Cup than any other human who has played in the competition. His brace against Austria pushing him ever further away from the mere mortals he graces the football pitches of the World with.
We chat to friend of the show Marcela Mora y Araujo who makes the point that Messi could go on forever but also proposes the theory that the Argentinian publics relationship with Lionel is more complicated than it looks on the surface.
While rain stopped play in Philly for a few hours it did eventually re-start and the poncho clad hordes who stayed around got to see Mbappé move to one behind Messi in the all time scoring list. Kylian is 27. Messi is 39. Hmmmm.
Meanwhile after the life affirming excitement of Steinway Street both Branno and Ken hiked north to New Jersey to watch from behind soundproof glass as Katz Deli regular Erling Haaland took on Senegal.
Click the player at the top of the page to play the show. Monday’s shows are free to all. To listen to all our World Cup programming throughout the rest of the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series’ ‘Where Is George Gibney?’ and Stakeknife.
Go to PatreonBranno and Ken go to Little Egypt and witness the North African’s first ever win at the World Cup and get caught up in the crazy aftermath
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— Second Captains (@secondcaptains.bsky.social) 22 June 2026 at 17:51