Messi becomes World Cup’s all-time leading scorer

In a historic moment at the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, Lionel Messi etched his name into football immortality by becoming the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. On June 22, 2026, during Argentina’s Group J match against Austria at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Messi scored his 17th and 18th goals of the tournament, surpassing the previous record held by German legend Miroslav Klose. This achievement marked a significant milestone in Messi’s legendary career, which spans over two decades and includes numerous accolades such as the FIFA World Cup title, eight Ballon d’Or awards, and an Olympic gold medal.

The match began with Messi attempting to break Klose’s record earlier than anticipated. In the ninth minute, after Lautaro Martínez won a penalty, Messi had a golden opportunity to make history but instead struck the ball wide of the bottom-right corner, much to the dismay of the crowd. Despite this setback, Messi remained composed and focused, ultimately delivering a performance that solidified his status as one of the greatest players of all time.

As the game progressed, Argentina demonstrated their dominance, with Messi finally securing the record-breaking goal by side-footing home Facundo Medina’s low cross. This goal brought his total World Cup tally to 17, surpassing Klose’s previous record of 16 goals. Messi then added a second goal in stoppage time, completing a brace that took his tournament goal count to five and extended his record for the most World Cup appearances to 28 matches.

This achievement not only highlights Messi’s incredible longevity and consistency but also underscores his ability to perform under pressure. At 38 years old, Messi continues to defy expectations, proving that his skills remain sharp despite the passage of time. His journey in the World Cup began in 2006 when he made his debut at the age of 18, scoring his first tournament goal against Serbia and Montenegro. Over the years, he has consistently been a pivotal figure for Argentina, leading them to victory in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Messi’s recent accomplishments include becoming the first men’s player to appear in six different World Cups and setting the record for the oldest player to score two goals in a single World Cup match. These milestones reflect his enduring impact on the sport and his ability to adapt and thrive at the highest level of competition.

Looking ahead, the stage is set for potential challenges to Messi’s new record. French captain Kylian Mbappé, who currently has 14 World Cup goals, is poised to compete for the title in future tournaments. Regardless of what lies ahead, Messi has already achieved a unique feat by becoming the first male player to score 18 goals at FIFA World Cup finals.

Argentina’s victory over Austria not only secured their place in the Round of 32 but also extended their unbeaten streak at the World Cup to eight matches, comprising six wins and two draws. Meanwhile, Austria faced their second defeat in their last 13 matches, highlighting the disparity in form between the two teams. As the tournament progresses, the focus will shift to how both teams perform in subsequent matches, with Argentina aiming to maintain their momentum and continue their quest for glory.