NFL legend Tom Brady could not resist drawing a comparison between his most famous comeback and Lionel Messi's latest World Cup masterpiece.
After Argentina rallied from two goals down to defeat Egypt 3-2 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16, Brady posted on X, "Yeah so that might top 28-3 🤯."
The remark referenced Super Bowl LI in 2017, where Brady led the New England Patriots from a 28-3 deficit against the Atlanta Falcons. The World Cup match also took place in Atlanta, adding another layer to Brady's joke.
Argentina appeared finished after falling 2-0 following Mostafa Zico's goal in the 67th minute. The reigning champions responded with remarkable composure instead of panic.
Cristian Romero headed home in the 79th minute before Messi fired in the equalizer four minutes later. Enzo Fernandez completed the turnaround with a stoppage-time header to send Argentina into the quarterfinals.
The comeback carried extra weight because Messi had earlier missed a penalty, while Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir delivered several outstanding saves.
REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Argentina's structure never completely broke down despite the scoreline. The team continued creating chances and trusted its attacking patterns until the final whistle.
Messi also shifted the emotional momentum. His equalizer energized teammates and forced Egypt deeper, creating space for Fernandez's decisive late run into the box.
Brady's comparison reflected more than social media humor. Both comebacks shared resilience, belief, and execution under extreme pressure in Atlanta.
While Brady's 28-3 rally remains one of the NFL's defining moments, Argentina's latest escape instantly entered World Cup history. The defending champions again showed why experienced leadership and collective belief remain decisive during knockout football, even when elimination appears inevitable.
