Lionel Messi etched his name deeper into football history by becoming the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history. The Argentine captain achieved the milestone during Argentina’s 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage match against Austria, surpassing former Germany striker Miroslav Klose's long-standing record.
Messi entered the contest level with Klose on 16 World Cup goals after his prolific start to the tournament. Needing just one more strike to move clear at the top, the 38-year-old delivered when his team needed him most.
Historic goal puts Messi on top
The record-breaking moment came in the first half after Argentina created a well-worked attacking move. Messi received a precise pass from Facundo Medina and calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to score his 17th World Cup goal.
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The strike took him past Klose and made him the outright leading scorer in men's World Cup history. The achievement added another landmark to an already extraordinary international career.
NOW - Lionel Messi becomes the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history.
— KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) June 22, 2026
17 — Lionel Messi 🇦🇷
16 — Miroslav Klose 🇩🇪
15 — Ronaldo 🇧🇷
14 — Gerd Müller 🇩🇪
14 — Kylian Mbappé 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/iSKmk300bX
Interestingly, Messi had earlier missed a penalty in the match. However, the veteran forward quickly put the disappointment behind him and continued to drive Argentina forward. His persistence eventually paid off with the goal that rewrote the World Cup record books.
Another milestone in a legendary career
Messi's World Cup journey began in 2006, and the 2026 edition marks his sixth appearance at football's biggest tournament. Over the past two decades, he has consistently delivered on the global stage, helping Argentina win the World Cup in 2022 and collecting numerous individual honours along the way.
The latest record further strengthens Messi's legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time. It also highlights his remarkable longevity, with the forward continuing to perform at the highest level well into his late 30s.
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With Argentina still competing in the tournament, Messi now has the opportunity to extend his record even further. For now, though, the historic goal against Austria stands as another unforgettable moment in a career filled with iconic achievements.
Having already conquered nearly every milestone in the sport, Messi has once again shown why he remains one of football's most enduring and influential figures.
