ISLAMABAD: Lionel Messi has etched his name indelibly into football folklore, becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in men’s World Cup history with his 17th career goal in the tournament.
The Argentine captain achieved the historic milestone during Argentina’s Group J clash against Austria at the Dallas Stadium, surpassing the legendary Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 goals that had stood since 2014.
BREAKING: Lionel Messi sets World Cup scoring record with 17th goal pic.twitter.com/TR5VOLh4vP
— Trader Caesar (@peter7831380956) June 22, 2026
The record-breaking moment arrived in the 38th minute, when Messi slotted a clinical left-footed finish into the bottom corner after a clever cutback from Facundo Medina found him on the edge of the box. The strike, his fourth goal of the tournament, sparked jubilant celebrations across the stadium as the 38-year-old superstar stood alone at the summit of World Cup scoring.
Ironically, Messi had earlier missed a golden opportunity to break the record when Argentina were awarded a penalty in the ninth minute following a foul on Lautaro Martínez. The skipper’s spot-kick drifted wide of the right post, keeping the record-equalling moment on hold. He also squandered two further chances before finally delivering the historic moment that will be remembered for generations.
🚨🇦🇷 OFFICIAL: LEO MESSI IS WORLD CUP TOP SCORER EVER WITH 17 GOALS. 🌎🤩 pic.twitter.com/WhUddnewOY
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 22, 2026
From hat-trick to history: Messi’s journey to the top
Messi entered the 2026 World Cup with 13 goals from five previous tournaments, having scored just once in the 2018 edition before his spectacular resurgence in Qatar 2022, where he netted seven times to help Argentina lift the trophy.
He drew level with Klose’s record of 16 goals with a stunning hat-trick in Argentina’s opening match against Algeria in Kansas City, a performance that also saw him become the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick at 38 years and 357 days.
The Argentine captain now stands alone as the tournament’s greatest ever goalscorer, with Klose’s 16 goals in second place, followed by Brazilian legend Ronaldo on 15, and a tie between Germany’s Gerd Müller and France’s Kylian Mbappé on 14.
Lionel Messi MISSES a penalty wide right with a chance at the all-time World Cup record pic.twitter.com/Z6PRwThUFt
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) June 22, 2026
Messi’s achievement is all the more remarkable given he has played 28 World Cup matches, the most appearances in tournament history, spanning six editions of the competition. He also holds numerous other records, including most minutes played (2,394), most Man of the Match awards (12), and most successful dribbles (125).
NOW – Lionel Messi becomes the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history.
17 — Lionel Messi 🇦🇷
16 — Miroslav Klose 🇩🇪
15 — Ronaldo 🇧🇷
14 — Gerd Müller 🇩🇪
14 — Kylian Mbappé 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/iSKmk300bX— KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) June 22, 2026
‘A statistic and nothing more’ – Messi downplays milestone
Despite the magnitude of the occasion, Messi remained characteristically humble when discussing his record. Speaking after his hat-trick against Algeria, he had said: “Honestly, no [I don’t attach importance to the record]. It’s an honour to be there because of what it means to be there next to Klose, Ronaldo is there too, but I don’t think it means anything. Mbappe is there, he scored two today. It’s a statistic and nothing more”.
🐐 MESSI MAKES HISTORY! 17 WORLD CUP GOALS!
👑 The King stands alone on top of the mountain.
🏅 Lionel Messi has shattered the all-time record, surpassing Miroslav Klose to become the greatest goalscorer in men’s FIFA World Cup history.
⚽️ World Cup All-Time Top Scorers:
🥇… pic.twitter.com/tjYhdDcVoc— FIFA World Cup Stats (@alimo_philip) June 22, 2026
However, the football world was unanimous in its praise. The strike capped what has been a remarkable run of form for Messi at the World Cup, contributing 17 goals in his last ten appearances at the finals, dating back to 2018. The goal against Austria also marked his sixth consecutive World Cup match with a goal, putting him level with the legendary Jairzinho and Just Fontaine.
Mbappe lurks as rival threatens record
While Messi now sits alone at the summit, his record may not stand for long. France captain Kylian Mbappé, still just 27 years old, has already scored 14 World Cup goals and sits only three behind Messi’s tally. The French superstar scored a brace against Senegal in the tournament opener and remains in contention to chase down the record during the remainder of the 2026 World Cup, or certainly in future editions.
Again I love Messi but don’t get it twisted.
Mbappé is only 27 years old in his 3rd World Cup and already has 14 goals.
He’s going to absolutely shatter the record in no time.
Just saying! pic.twitter.com/cc4d3SsizQ
— Simone Love (@SimoneBett) June 22, 2026
Messi, who turns 39 next week, is leading Argentina’s defence of their crown with the same determination that has defined his legendary career. The reigning champions face Jordan in their final group stage match on June 27, where Messi will have further opportunities to extend his record.
For now, however, the football world salutes the greatest of all time, who once again proved that on the biggest stage, Lionel Messi remains peerless.
