Lionel Messi Breaks Record of Most Goals in FIFA World Cup, Achieves Feat During Argentina vs Austria
Lionel Messi has broken the men's FIFA World Cup all-time scoring record, netting his 17th goal against Austria on June 22, 2026, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage. The Argentinian superstar, aged 38, surpassed Miroslav Klose's previous record of 16 goals, cementing his place in football history.
Lionel Messi has once again redefined greatness on the global stage, shattering the men's FIFA World Cup goal-scoring record to stand alone at the summit with 17 goals. The Argentinian captain achieved this monumental by finding the back of the net in Argentina’s 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage encounter against Austria. ‘Best Player of All Time’, Ronaldo Urges World To Accept Argentina Legend Lionel Messi.
The historic strike, which opened the scoring for Argentina, came just days shy of Messi's 39th birthday, further cementing his legendary status in the annals of the beautiful game. Messi, born on June 24, 1987, continues to defy age with his unparalleled skill and prolific scoring ability.
Lionel Messi Breaks Record
History is made.
Lionel Messi is the all-time top goalscorer in @FIFAWorldCup history! 🤩🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/iv8Oelxic2
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 22, 2026
Most Goals in FIFA World Cups
Messi's 17th goal eclipsed the long-standing record of 16 goals previously held by Germany's Miroslav Klose. Klose, who retired from international football after winning the 2014 World Cup, had held the record outright since surpassing Brazil's Ronaldo (15 goals) in that tournament. Messi had previously been level with Klose on 16 goals, a mark he reached after a scintillating hat-trick against Algeria in an earlier 2026 World Cup fixture. Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: Contrasting Starts in FIFA World Cup 2026 for Legends.
The 2022 World Cup winner has participated in six FIFA World Cup tournaments, showcasing remarkable consistency and an enduring impact. His journey to this record began in 2006, followed by appearances in 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and now the ongoing 2026 edition.
Lionel Messi's World Cup Goal Tally by Tournament
| Year | Goals Scored |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2026 | 4* |
*As of June 23, 2026.
Lionel Messi Historic Goal Video
— MEDIA (@M10Vid) June 22, 2026
The Race for the Golden Boot
While Messi now leads the all-time scoring charts, the race for the 2026 Golden Boot is just heating up, and other active players are still in pursuit of the overall record. France's Kylian Mbappé, with 14 World Cup goals, remains a formidable challenger and is considered the closest active player to Messi's new benchmark.
Messi's latest achievement adds another glittering chapter to a career already overflowing with accolades, including a record eight Ballon d'Or awards and the coveted 2022 FIFA World Cup title with Argentina. His ability to perform at the highest level, even as he approaches his fourth decade, continues to inspire awe and admiration worldwide.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup progresses, all eyes will remain on Lionel Messi, not only for his incredible goal-scoring prowess but also for his continued pursuit of team glory with Argentina. His record-breaking strike against Austria is a moment that will be celebrated by football fans globally, a testament to his enduring brilliance and indelible legacy.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 23, 2026 12:17 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
