Lionel Messi became the all-time leading scorer in men’s World Cup history during Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria on Monday [1].
The achievement marks a historic milestone in international football, as Messi surpasses a long-standing record to solidify his position as the most prolific goalscorer in the tournament's history.
Playing in Dallas, Messi netted both goals in the Group J match [2]. These strikes represented his 17th and 18th career World Cup goals [3]. By reaching a total of 18 goals [3], Messi moved past the previous record of 16 goals held by Germany's Miroslav Klose [4].
The performance also extended a personal streak for the forward. Messi has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches [1]. This consistency proved decisive in the match against Austria, ensuring a clean sheet and a victory for the Argentine side [1].
The match took place as part of the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup held in the U.S. [2]. The victory keeps Argentina in a strong position within Group J as the tournament progresses.
Messi's ascent to the top of the scoring charts follows years of dominance in the sport. While he had previously approached the record, the brace in Dallas officially established him as the sole leader of the all-time list [3].
“Messi became the all-time leading scorer in men’s World Cup history”
Messi's record-breaking performance reinforces his legacy during the twilight of his international career. By surpassing Miroslav Klose, he transitions from chasing historical benchmarks to setting a new standard for future generations of forwards in the FIFA World Cup.
