Lionel Messi became the all-time leading goal scorer in men's FIFA World Cup history during a match against Austria on June 22, 2026 [1].
The achievement cements Messi's legacy as the most prolific scorer in the history of the tournament, surpassing a long-standing record held by Germany's Miroslav Klose.
Messi reached the milestone during a group-stage match where Argentina defeated Austria 2–0 [4]. The record was broken when Messi scored his 17th career World Cup goal [2], moving him past Klose's previous tally of 16 goals [3].
Reports on the final goal count for the match vary. Some sources state the record was established with the 17th goal [2], while other reports indicate Messi scored twice in the game to bring his total to 18 goals [5].
This performance occurred during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Argentina continues its campaign in the group stages [1]. Messi's ability to maintain scoring consistency across multiple tournaments has allowed him to overtake the previous benchmark set by Klose [3].
The victory against Austria ensures Argentina remains in a strong position within its group as the tournament progresses [4].
“Lionel Messi became the all-time leading goal scorer in men's FIFA World Cup history”
By surpassing Miroslav Klose, Messi has claimed one of the most prestigious statistical titles in international football. This record reflects not only individual skill but the longevity of Messi's career across multiple World Cup cycles, providing him with a definitive historical edge in the debate over the greatest players in the sport's history.
