Lionel Messi became the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA Men’s World Cup history during the 2022 tournament in Qatar [1].
The achievement cements Messi's legacy as one of the most prolific players in international football. By breaking a long-standing record, he has established a new benchmark for future generations of strikers in the world's most prestigious tournament.
Messi reached the milestone on Dec. 9, 2022, during the quarter-final match held at the Lusail Iconic Stadium [1]. His goal in that match brought his total World Cup tally to 17 goals [1].
This performance allowed him to surpass the previous record of 16 goals, which was held by Germany's Miroslav Klose [2]. The record-breaking strike was instrumental in helping Argentina advance further in the competition [2].
Messi's climb to the top of the scoring charts occurred amid intense global scrutiny and high stakes. The victory in the quarter-final provided the momentum necessary for Argentina to continue its pursuit of the trophy.
Throughout the tournament, Messi served as the focal point of the Argentine attack. His ability to find the net in critical moments ensured his place in the history books — a feat that few players in the history of the sport have ever approached.
“Lionel Messi became the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA Men’s World Cup history”
This record shifts the historical narrative of the World Cup, moving the benchmark for excellence from a traditional striker like Klose to a playmaker like Messi. It underscores the evolution of the modern game where versatile attackers can dominate scoring statistics while simultaneously controlling the tempo of the match.
