Argentina’s Lionel Messi became the all-time leading World Cup goal scorer on Monday, passing Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the new record holder with 17 goals.
Messi scored in the 38th minute in his second game of the group stages against Austria with an assist from Facundo Medina. In the opening minutes of the game, Messi missed an opportunity for the record after he was awarded a penalty kick, which went wide right.
The GOAT stands alone.
MESSI BECOMES THE ALL-TIME LEADING GOALSCORER IN MEN’S FIFA WORLD CUP HISTORY 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/aWY9thIuUG
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 22, 2026
After securing a hat-trick in his country’s opening group stage match against Algeria last week, Messi skyrocketed from fourth place to a first-place tie for most career goals in the tournament’s history. He also became the first player to appear in six different World Cups for his country, with his first coming in 2006.
The greatest of all time, as some declare him, also has the most Ballon d’Or trophies and Golden Ball trophies. He also holds the most goal contributions during the World Cup, and most goals with a single club.
With four goals and counting through two games, Messi is also on pace to win his first ever World Cup Golden Boot, which is awarded to the highest goal scorer during the tournament. In 2022, Messi finished as the runner-up behind France’s Kylian Mbappé.
Later in the match, Messi scored his second goal in the fifth minute of injury time of the second half, increasing the record to 18.
Messi will look to increase the record as Argentina aims to win back-to-back World Cups, a feat that hasn’t been done since Brazil accomplished it in 1958 and 1962. Argentina will take on Jordan in their final match of the opening round of the tournament.
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