Messi Becomes FIFA World Cup’s All-Time Leading Goalscorer After Historic Strike Against Austria

Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has written another chapter in football history after becoming the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history.

The record-breaking moment came during Argentina’s group-stage encounter with Austria on Monday, June 22, when Messi found the back of the net in the 38th minute to surpass a long-standing record previously held by German legend Miroslav Klose.

Playing at Dallas Stadium, Messi latched onto a well-placed pass from Facundo Medina and unleashed a first-time finish that beat Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager, nestling into the bottom corner of the net.

The goal marked Messi’s 17th strike in World Cup competition, moving him ahead of Klose’s previous record of 16 goals and establishing him as the tournament’s most prolific scorer.

The milestone was particularly significant as it came despite Messi earlier missing a penalty during the match. The Argentine captain, however, recovered in typical fashion to deliver when it mattered most and secure his place alone at the top of World Cup scoring history.

The latest record adds to what has already been one of the most decorated careers in football. Messi, who made his World Cup debut in 2006, has now scored in every edition of the tournament except the 2010 World Cup. His performances have spanned two decades, underlining his remarkable longevity and consistency on football’s biggest stage.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner played a central role in Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, scoring seven goals during the campaign. He has continued that form at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, already registering four goals, including a recent hat-trick against Algeria.

Beyond his World Cup exploits, Messi remains Argentina’s all-time leading scorer with 122 international goals and also holds the record for the most appearances in World Cup history, having featured in 27 matches at the global tournament.

The updated list of the World Cup’s greatest goalscorers now places Messi at the summit with 17 goals, followed by Klose with 16 and Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazário with 15. France superstar Kylian Mbappé and German great Gerd Müller are next on 14 goals each.

While Messi now stands alone as the tournament’s all-time leading scorer, Mbappé remains within striking distance. The French forward has amassed 14 World Cup goals in only 15 appearances and could yet challenge the Argentine’s record before the competition concludes.

For now, however, the World Cup scoring crown belongs solely to Messi, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players the sport has ever produced.