Meet Messi’s 100-year-old fan: ‘Gangster Granny’ cheers Argentina to victory in Dallas | WATCH

Arlington: The global reach of Lionel Messi was perfectly personified in the stands of Dallas Stadium on Monday, as a viral 100-year-old American social media star was spotted cheering the Argentine icon on to a historic goalscoring record against Austria.

Pauline Kana—known affectionately to her combined 25 million online followers across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram as "Gangster Granny"—attended the FIFA World Cup Group J match in person. Accompanied by her grandson and comedy content partner, Ross Smith, the centenarian Guinness World Record holder was filmed fiercely cheering on the 38-year-old Argentine captain from the stadium's seats.

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A Long-Distance Connection

Kana’s vocal support capped off a viral relationship with the footballing legend that has captivated internet users for years. The centenarian influencer’s fascination with Messi first gained widespread attention two years ago when she posted a lighthearted public video asking the football superstar to marry her. Since then, tracking Messi's professional exploits across his stints with Inter Miami and the Argentine national team has become a prominent pillar of her online brand.

Her presence in Texas coincided with an unforgettable evening for the tournament holders. Kana was part of a passionately pro-Argentina crowd of 70,649 spectators who witnessed Messi strike twice in a 2-0 victory over Austria, sealing La Albiceleste's mathematically guaranteed progression to the World Cup Round of 32.

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Witnessing World Cup History

From her vantage point in the stands, Kana witnessed a roller coaster of historical milestones. In the eighth minute, she watched Messi uncharacteristically drag a penalty wide of the post. However, the American superfan’s patience was rewarded in the 38th minute when Messi coolly turned home a low cross from Facundo Medina.

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The goal was the 17th of Messi's international World Cup career, officially pushing him past Germany's Miroslav Klose to become the outright top goalscorer in the history of the men's tournament. He added an 18th career goal in the dying moments of stoppage time, ensuring that Kana and the thousands of travelling fans left the stadium celebrating a historic masterclass.