In a historic moment, Lionel Messi has solidified his position as the greatest player of all time, claiming the ultimate goal-scoring crown in the FIFA World Cup. This achievement adds to his already legendary résumé, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
Messi achieved this feat by scoring his 17th FIFA World Cup goal against Austria on June 22, thereby surpassing Germany's Miroslav Klose's record. He further extended his lead with his 18th goal, leaving him two clear of Klose's total.
The previous record for most goals scored at a World Cup tournament was held by Brazil women's team legend Marta with 17 goals, which Messi tied with his first goal against Austria and then broke with his second goal in stoppage time.
Messi is now the sole holder of the record for most goals scored in the World Cup, a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence. He also became the third player to score in six consecutive World Cup matches, joining the ranks of Just Fontaine and Jairzinho.
The first goal was scored in the 38th minute at Dallas Stadium, courtesy of a one-time touch from Facundo Medina's pass that found its way into the bottom-left corner past Austria keeper Alexander Schlager. The second goal came in the 95th minute, as Messi capitalized on a deflected save to find the back of the net on his second attempt.
This achievement showcases Messi's unwavering dedication to the sport, having played in every World Cup since 2006 and scoring in all but one edition. His impressive record continues to grow, with seven goals scored during Argentina's 2022 World Cup title run and four more added in 2026.
In addition to his World Cup accolades, Messi is Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer with 122 goals and holds the record for the most World Cup match appearances with 27. He will look to add to this total as the tournament progresses.
A New Challenger Emerges
As Messi basks in the glory of his record-breaking achievement, another rising star, Kylian Mbappé, is quietly building an impressive World Cup resume. At just 27 years old, Mbappé already ranks fourth on the tournament's all-time scoring list with 14 career goals.
Mbappé has scored 14 goals in just 15 World Cup matches, including four as a 19-year-old during France's 2018 title run. He followed this performance with eight goals in 2022, the most in the tournament, highlighted by a hat trick in the World Cup final against Argentina.
While Messi currently holds the record, Mbappé is rapidly closing the gap and appears destined to challenge it in the years ahead. The pursuit of World Cup history is far from over, and the stage may be set for another thrilling showdown between France and Argentina in a future World Cup final.
