Lionel Messi became the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history on Monday during Argentina's victory over Austria [1].

This achievement cements Messi's legacy as the most prolific goalscorer in the tournament's history, surpassing a long-standing benchmark during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The record was broken during a Group J match on June 22, 2026 [2]. Messi scored two goals in the contest, which elevated his career World Cup tally to 18 goals [3].

This total surpasses the previous scoring record of 16 goals by a margin of two [3]. The performance contributed to Argentina's win over Austria, further establishing the team's dominance in the group stage.

Messi, serving as the captain of the Argentina national football team, has now reached a milestone that separates him from all previous tournament competitors [1]. The victory ensures Argentina remains a primary contender as the competition progresses.

“Messi became the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history”

Messi's ascent to the top of the all-time scoring list provides Argentina with significant psychological momentum in the 2026 tournament. By breaking the record by two goals in a single match, he has created a substantial gap between himself and previous record-holders, making the mark significantly harder for future players to challenge.