Lionel Messi Shatters All-Time World Cup Scoring Record in Stunning Fashion

Lionel Messi has etched his name in World Cup history as the all-time top scorer, netting his 17th tournament goal to get Monday's clash with Austria underway.

Messi had squandered a chance to claim the record earlier in the match when he blazed a penalty wide, but he made no mistake moments later, finishing coolly from just outside the area to give Argentina the lead.

He now stands alone atop the all-time list, surpassing former record holder Miroslav Klose, who falls to second place with 16 goals.

Top Scorers in World Cup History

Messi made history earlier this summer by becoming the first player ever to appear at six World Cups—a milestone later matched by Cristiano Ronaldo—having featured in every tournament since his debut in 2006.

He arrived at the 2026 edition with 13 goals to his name, but a hat trick in Argentina's opening win over Algeria rapidly propelled him up the rankings, drawing him level with Klose on 16 and setting the stage for a record-breaking run.

Following the Algeria match, Messi played down the milestone, calling it "just a statistic," while still acknowledging the honor of being mentioned alongside Klose, Ronaldo, and Gerd Müller.

In addition to the scoring record, Messi also became the first player in World Cup history to find the net in six consecutive tournament matches, having scored five times across four knockout fixtures back in 2022.

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Not all the records were cause for celebration, though, as Messi also became the player with the most missed penalties in World Cup history, seeing his third spot kick go astray—though his crucial strike quickly overshadowed that unwanted distinction.

The goal brings Messi's Argentina tally to 121, placing him second only to Cristiano Ronaldo's 143 in men's international football. Ronaldo, however, has played 28 more matches than his long-standing rival.