Messi becomes World Cup all-time leading goalscorer

Lionel Messi has become the all-time leading goalscorer in the history of the World Cup. The 38-year-old scored a brace in Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria on Monday to set the new record. The two goals move Messi’s World Cup tally to 18, finally pulling him ahead of Germany’s Miroslav Klose, whose record of 16 goals the Argentinian had equalled with a hattrick in his first match of the 2026 World Cup against Algeria. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner scored the first goal in the 38th minute with another of his trademark edge-of-the-box curlers that put Argentina ahead against Austria in their second match. The goal came minutes after Messi had earlier dragged a penalty wide in the match after Lautaro Martinez was hacked down inside the Austrian box. Messi then grabbed the second goal of the game late in the stoppage time to seal a place in the round of 32 for the Albiceleste. The only player who can remotely threaten Messi’s achievement is Kylian Mbappé, who has 14 World Cup goals. Other names on the record list are retired or late. Brazil’s Ronaldo Nazario scored 15 goals at the World Cup, followed by Germany’s Gerd Müller with 14. The late great Pelé and France’s Fontaine are next on the list. Messi is playing in his sixth World Cup, a record appearance he shares with both Cristiano Ronaldo and Guillermo Ochoa.

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