Lionel Messi did not receive any special treatment during a security screening at a U.S. airport ahead of Argentina’s Round of 16 match against Cape Verde this Friday, July 3, at the 2026 World Cup.

A viral video circulating on social media shows Messi placing his belongings on a table before one of his teammates gestures to him, pointing out what Cristian Romero was carrying, sparking a lighthearted laugh. The Argentine star then sat down to have the metal detector passed over the soles of his shoes and his entire body, just like every other player on the team.

Messi currently shares the lead for top scorer at the 2026 World Cup with six goals, tied with France’s Kylian Mbappé. They are closely followed by England’s Harry Kane and Norway’s Erling Haaland, each with five goals.

Beyond this tournament, Messi holds the record as the all-time top scorer in World Cup history, with 19 goals in 29 matches spanning from 2006 to the present. His closest rival in this historic race is Mbappé, who has 18 goals.