Lionel Messi became the men’s World Cup’s all-time leading goal scorer on Monday when Argentina defeated Australia 2-0 in Dallas, Texas.
The 38-year-old hero netted twice against a dogged Austrian team to take his career World Cup tally to 18 goals, eclipsing the previous record of 16 held by Germany veteran Miroslav Klose. Messi’s score also beats Brazil’s Marta, who previously held the combined men’s and women’s World Cup scoring record.
A Night That Started With Disaster
Messi’s record-breaking performance was almost prevented. The Argentine captain stepped up to take a penalty in the first 10 minutes after video review confirmed a foul on Lautaro Martinez. His shot went wide of the right post, a surprising miss that shook the spectators.
Messi, being Messi, didn’t let the defeat influence him. He was on the end of a brilliantly weighted cutback from Thiago Almada in the 38th minute and finished first time with his left foot to equal Klose’s all-time record of 16 goals.
The Record-Breaking Moment
That moment arrived in second-half stoppage time. Argentina sprung Austria on a quick counter-attack, and Messi slipped the ball through to Julian Alvarez. His first effort was saved, but in an almost amazing piece of play, the rebound somehow made its way to Messi, who nonchalantly tucked it home through a sea of Austrian players.
That goal made him the clear all-time leading scorer in men’s World Cup history with 18 goals, also breaking Marta’s combined record in both men’s and women’s championships.
A Journey 20 Years in the Making
Messi’s World Cup fairytale began nearly two decades ago. In the 2006 match against Serbia and Montenegro on June 16, Messi, then just 18, came off the bench to score his first World Cup goal. He opened this tournament with a hat-trick against Algeria, putting Klose’s record immediately within reach 20 years later.
Messi, playing in his record-equalling sixth World Cup, has become the first player to score in six successive matches in more than 50 years, underscoring his incredible durability at the top level of the game.
Argentina Secure Knockout Spot
This result was crucial to Argentina as a team, apart from the individual feat. The victory mathematically confirmed their position in the Round of 32, leaving Lionel Scaloni’s defending champions in the driver’s seat of Group J as they target a second successive World Cup crown.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also did his bit, making a critical save to deny an Austrian equaliser from a Marcel Sabitzer free kick in the second half, keeping Messi’s heroics intact.
What Comes Next For Messi
Argentina have already qualified for the knockout stage, but now the focus shifts to their last group match against Jordan on Sunday, June 28. Messi, who will celebrate his 39th birthday just two days before that encounter, presently leads the competition with five goals.
There are still questions about how much Scaloni would use his skipper in the next games, with knockout stages and a potential long way to go. Currently, Messi holds the top position in World Cup history, with the possibility of further chapters unfolding.
(FAQs)
Who is the World Cup top scorer 2026?
Lionel Messi currently leads the 2026 World Cup with 5 goals, while also holding the all-time World Cup record with 18 career goals.
What did Messi do at World Cup 2026?
Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria and two goals against Austria, becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in men’s World Cup history with 18 goals.
How many goals did Messi score in the World Cup 2026?
Messi has scored 5 goals so far at the 2026 World Cup, including a hat-trick against Algeria and a brace against Austria.
How many World Cup goals did Messi score in 2022?
Messi scored 7 goals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, helping Argentina win the title and earning the tournament’s Golden Ball award.
Who holds the World Cup goals record?
Lionel Messi now holds the all-time men’s World Cup goals record with 18 goals, surpassing Germany’s Miroslav Klose who scored 16.
Who are the top 10 World Cup all-time goal scorers?
The top scorers include Lionel Messi (18), Miroslav Klose (16), Ronaldo of Brazil (15), Gerd Muller (14), and Kylian Mbappe (16), among other legends of the sport.
How many World Cup goals does Ronaldo have?
Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario scored 15 goals across three World Cups, ranking among the top scorers in tournament history.
How many World Cup goals does Mbappe have?
Kylian Mbappe has 16 World Cup goals heading into the knockout stages of the 2026 tournament, keeping him in close pursuit of Messi’s record.
Messi’s World Cup Goal Record:
Total Goals: 18 (new all-time record)
Previous Record Holder: Miroslav Klose (16)
World Cups Played: 6
Goals This Tournament: 5
Next Match: vs Jordan, Sunday, June 28
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