Lionel Messi has written another chapter in football history after becoming the outright leading goalscorer in men’s FIFA World Cup history.
The Argentina captain reached 17 World Cup goals with his strike against Austria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, moving past German legend Miroslav Klose to claim sole ownership of the record.
Messi entered the tournament with 13 World Cup goals and had already closed the gap with a hat-trick against Algeria in Argentina’s opening Group J fixture. His goal against Austria took his tally to 17, making him the most prolific scorer the men’s tournament has ever seen.
The remarkable achievement has come across six different World Cup appearances, underlining the longevity and consistency of one of football’s greatest players.
Messi scored his first World Cup goal at the 2006 tournament in Germany against Serbia and Montenegro before enduring a goalless campaign in South Africa four years later.
He returned strongly in Brazil in 2014, scoring four goals to help Argentina reach the final, before adding another strike at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner enjoyed his most productive tournament in Qatar in 2022, netting seven times as he inspired Argentina to World Cup glory.
Now in North America, Messi has continued to shine on football’s biggest stage. A hat-trick against Algeria and a goal against Austria have taken his total to four goals at the 2026 tournament and 17 overall.
The latest milestone further cements Messi’s legacy as one of the greatest players in football history, with the Argentine icon continuing to break records well into the latter stages of his illustrious career.
