ARLINGTON, Texas — Lionel Messi etched his name into football history on Monday, June 23, 2026 (Philippine time), becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in men's FIFA World Cup competition after netting his 17th and 18th tournament goals in Argentina's 2-0 group-stage victory over Austria at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The 38-year-old Argentine captain surpassed Germany's Miroslav Klose, who had held the record with 16 goals for 12 years, with a composed left-footed finish in the 38th minute. Messi then added a second goal deep in stoppage time to seal the result and move two clear of the previous benchmark.
The win secured Argentina's place in the knockout rounds of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and extended the defending champions' bid to become the first nation to win back-to-back World Cup titles since Brazil in 1962.
Record Built Across Two Decades and Six World Cups
Messi entered the 2026 tournament with 13 World Cup goals accumulated across five previous editions — 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022. He drew level with Klose's mark of 16 by completing the first hat-trick of his World Cup career in Argentina's 3-0 opening group-stage win over Algeria on June 16, 2026. He then broke the record outright in Monday's match against Austria.
His first World Cup goal was scored on June 16, 2006, against Serbia and Montenegro, when Messi was just 18 years old — exactly 20 years to the day before the match in which he equalled Klose's record against Algeria. The span between his first goal and his record-breaking tally stands as a testament to his sustained excellence at international football's highest stage.
The Argentina captain has now scored all five of his country's goals at the 2026 World Cup and leads the tournament's individual scoring race.
Messi Now Tops All-Time World Cup Scoring List — Men's and Women's
The significance of Messi's 18th World Cup goal extends beyond the men's competition. With that tally, he surpassed Brazil's Marta, who held the all-time World Cup scoring record across both the men's and women's tournaments with 17 goals. Messi is now the leading World Cup goalscorer of all time, across all competitions, regardless of gender.
He also became only the third player in history to score in six consecutive World Cups, joining France's Just Fontaine and Brazil's Jairzinho in that exclusive company.
Additionally, by appearing in the 2026 edition of the tournament, Messi became the first male player in history to compete in six FIFA World Cups, having featured in every edition from 2006 through 2026. His 28th World Cup appearance against Austria extended his own record for most matches played at the tournament by any individual player.
Missed Penalty and Austrian Pressure Preceded the Historic Moment
The record-breaking night was not without drama. Messi had the opportunity to surpass Klose's mark as early as the ninth minute when Argentina were awarded a penalty kick. However, stuttering in his run-up, Messi dragged the spot-kick wide of the bottom-right corner — a rare miss that momentarily delayed the inevitable.
Austria responded by pushing hard for the opening goal, creating sustained pressure that forced Argentina to defend resolutely. Goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez was called upon to make several important saves as Austria sought to capitalise on the missed penalty.
Messi ultimately settled the contest in the 38th minute, meeting a cutback from Facundo Medina and sweeping a first-time finish into the bottom corner with his favoured left foot. The goal was greeted with an eruption from the large Argentine contingent inside Dallas Stadium. His second, added deep in stoppage time, confirmed the three points and the record.
Messi Playing Through Personal and Physical Challenges
The milestone came amid reports that Messi has been managing a hamstring concern throughout the tournament. Additionally, sources close to the Argentine delegation have indicated that his father is currently recovering from a health issue back in Argentina, adding a personal dimension to an already emotionally charged campaign.
Messi was visibly emotional following Argentina's opening win over Algeria on June 16, when he scored the hat-trick that drew him level with Klose. His composure in converting the record-breaking goal against Austria — after the missed penalty — was widely noted by commentators and observers at the stadium.
Messi turns 39 years old on Wednesday, June 25, 2026, making the timing of the historic achievement particularly significant as he continues to perform at the elite level of international football well into his late thirties.
Messi Dedicates the Moment to His Teammates
Speaking to reporters after the final whistle, Messi kept the focus on the collective rather than the individual milestone.
"Beyond anything, I'm so happy for the win. It was huge, tough and difficult. All matches in this World Cup are very even, very intense. I'm enjoying this moment and craving to enjoy it with my teammates."
The sentiment was echoed by Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who spoke directly to those who had questioned whether the team could succeed around the ageing captain.
"If anyone thought this group was better off without Leo, today it became clear that Leo is the most important of them all."
Mbappé Identified as the Closest Future Challenger
While Messi now holds the record outright, attention has already turned to who might one day threaten the new benchmark. France forward Kylian Mbappé, 27 years old, is currently fourth on the all-time men's World Cup scoring list with 14 goals from just 15 matches — a remarkable strike rate that positions him as the most likely candidate to challenge Messi's tally in the years ahead.
However, with Messi now sitting at 18 goals, Mbappé would need to score at least five more World Cup goals to draw level — a target that, while theoretically achievable, would require sustained participation and performance across future tournaments.
A Résumé Already Without Parallel in Football History
The World Cup all-time scoring record represents the latest addition to a career résumé that already stands as one of the most decorated in the history of the sport. Messi is an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and guided Argentina to the FIFA World Cup title in Qatar in 2022, ending a 36-year wait for his nation's third world championship.
Born in Rosario, Argentina, Messi made his senior international debut in 2005 and has gone on to become Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer at both the club and international level. His longevity at the highest level of the game, combined with the consistency of his performances across six World Cup tournaments, has placed him at the centre of discussions about the greatest footballers of all time.
With Argentina still alive in the 2026 FIFA World Cup — now in the knockout stages — Messi has the opportunity to add further to his record tally and potentially claim a second consecutive World Cup title before what is widely expected to be the final chapter of his international career.
Photo credit: Photo via FIFA/Getty Images