Lionel Messi has added yet another remarkable achievement to his glittering football career, becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history after scoring his 18th tournament goal during Argentina’s 2026 World Cup clash against Austria.
The historic strike saw the Argentine captain surpass Germany legend Miroslav Klose’s long-standing record of 16 goals, cementing his place at the very top of football’s biggest stage.
The milestone came in Argentina’s Group J encounter against Austria on June 22.
Messi entered the match level with Klose on 16 World Cup goals after netting a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening 3-0 victory over Algeria earlier in the tournament.
With football fans around the world eagerly anticipating the moment, the 38-year-old delivered once again when it mattered most.
The match did not begin perfectly for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. In the ninth minute, Argentina were awarded a penalty following a VAR review, giving Messi an early opportunity to claim the record outright.
However, in a rare moment of misfortune, the Argentine superstar dragged his spot-kick wide of the post, leaving the crowd stunned and the historic goal temporarily on hold.
But champions always find a way to respond, and Messi did exactly that.
With seven minutes remaining in the first half, Argentina produced a flowing team move that opened up the Austrian defence. Messi timed his run perfectly before calmly guiding a left-footed finish into the bottom corner, sending thousands of Argentina supporters inside the stadium into celebration.
The goal was not only enough to give Argentina the lead but also ensured Messi became the outright leading scorer in World Cup history with 17 goals.
The record-breaking strike represented another chapter in a career already filled with extraordinary accomplishments. Messi had previously won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022 and has spent nearly two decades breaking records at club and international level. Yet becoming the leading scorer in the history of football’s most prestigious tournament ranks among his greatest achievements.
Remarkably, Messi was not finished.
Deep into stoppage time, the Argentine captain struck again, reacting quickest inside a crowded penalty area to score his second goal of the match and extend his all-time World Cup tally to 18 goals.
While his first goal secured the record, the second moved him even further ahead of the chasing pack and underlined his enduring brilliance despite approaching his 39th birthday.
His brace helped Argentina secure a comfortable 2-0 victory over Austria and book their place in the knockout stages with a game to spare. The defending world champions have enjoyed a perfect start to their title defence, following up their opening win over Algeria with another commanding performance.
Messi’s latest record is particularly significant because it surpasses one of the most respected marks in international football. Miroslav Klose’s tally of 16 goals had stood as the benchmark since the 2014 World Cup, where the German striker completed an extraordinary career that included four World Cup appearances.
For years, many believed the record would be difficult to break, but Messi’s longevity, consistency, and ability to perform on the biggest occasions have allowed him to rewrite history.
The achievement is the latest addition to a remarkable collection of records held by the Argentine icon. Throughout his career, Messi has won multiple league titles, continental trophies, Ballon d’Or awards, and international honours.
His success with Argentina, particularly the 2022 World Cup triumph, helped settle debates about his place among the greatest players in football history.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised his captain’s influence after the match, highlighting how the team continues to draw inspiration from Messi’s leadership and quality. Teammates also celebrated the achievement, describing him as a player who continues to deliver magical moments despite spending more than two decades at the highest level of the game.
For football fans, the achievement adds another layer to Messi’s already legendary legacy. He is the only player to have appeared in six FIFA World Cups and now stands alone as the tournament’s greatest goalscorer.
The fact that he continues to produce match-winning performances at an age when most footballers have long retired makes the accomplishment even more remarkable.
The record is expected to stand as one of the defining moments of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Supporters, former players, and football analysts across the globe have hailed the feat as further evidence of Messi’s extraordinary impact on the sport. Many have described it as the culmination of years of excellence on football’s grandest stage.
As Argentina continue their quest to defend the World Cup title, all eyes will remain on Messi. Having already shattered one of football’s most iconic records, the Argentine icon may not be finished making history.
With the knockout rounds still ahead, the world’s greatest player has an opportunity to extend his record even further and add another unforgettable chapter to an extraordinary career.
Whether or not Argentina lift the trophy again, Messi’s name is now permanently etched into World Cup history.
His 17th goal, and subsequent 18th, have elevated him above every player who has graced the tournament, reinforcing his status as one of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen.
