Lionel Messi became the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history on Monday, June 22, 2026 [2, 5].
The achievement cements Messi's legacy as the most prolific goalscorer in the history of the world's most prestigious football tournament. By surpassing previous records, the Argentina forward has redefined the standard for offensive excellence on the global stage [4].
Messi secured the record during a group match against Austria, where he scored both goals in Argentina's 2-0 win [1, 2]. His two strikes represented the 17th and 18th goals of his World Cup career [3, 5]. One of the goals was scored from a distance of 20 yards [5].
The record comes at a late stage in Messi's career. He is 38 years old, just two days shy of his 39th birthday [4]. Following the match, reports indicated that Messi was too tired to recall his favorite World Cup goal after the exertion of the record-setting brace [6].
The magnitude of the feat drew attention from other football legends. Zlatan Ibrahimovic said the achievement contrasted his own tournament history with Messi's success. "I have zero goals in two World Cups," Ibrahimovic said [2].
Argentina's victory over Austria keeps the team in a strong position as they navigate the group stages of the tournament. The brace ensures that Messi remains the focal point of the Argentine attack as the competition progresses [1, 3].
“Lionel Messi became the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history”
This milestone marks a transition in football history, as Messi achieves the scoring record at an age where most forwards have retired from international play. By reaching 18 goals, he sets a benchmark that will likely stand for generations, shifting the debate over the greatest player of all time toward statistical permanence in the World Cup format.
