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Greatest of All Time! Messi breaks Klose’s record with 17th World Cup goal | FIFA World Cup 2026
Argentina captain Lionel Messi added another chapter to his remarkable career on Monday, becoming the outright highest scorer in FIFA World Cup history before scoring again to guide Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Austria in their Group J clash in Dallas.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner entered the match level with Germany great Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals after scoring a hat-trick against Algeria in Argentina’s opening game. His first goal against Austria, in the 39th minute, took him to 17 goals and moved him clear of Klose into sole possession of the record.
Messi then added a second goal in stoppage time to take his World Cup tally to 18, extending his lead at the top of the all-time scoring charts and helping the defending champions secure a place in the Round of 32.
The historic night came after an eventful start. Argentina won a penalty in the seventh minute following a VAR review after Lautaro Martinez was brought down inside the box. Messi stepped up but sent his effort wide, missing the chance to break the record from the spot.
Top goal scorers in FIFA World Cup history:
|
Rank |
Player |
Country |
Goals |
|
1 |
Lionel Messi |
Argentina |
18 |
|
1 |
Miroslav Klose |
Germany |
16 |
|
3 |
Ronaldo |
Brazil |
15 |
|
4 |
Kylian Mbappe |
France |
14 |
|
4 |
Gerd Muller |
Germany |
14 |
|
6 |
Just Fontaine |
France |
13 |
Record that stood for 12 years falls
Klose had held the World Cup scoring record since the 2014 tournament, when he surpassed Brazil legend Ronaldo’s tally of 15 goals.
Messi drew level with the former Germany striker during Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria, scoring all three goals for the defending champions.
Against Austria, the 39-year-old finally moved ahead of Klose when he converted Medina’s cross in the 39th minute. The goal made him the first player in men’s World Cup history to score 17 goals.
His second goal in the 95th minute further strengthened his grip on the record, taking his tally to 18.
However, Messi could still face a challenge from France captain Kylian Mbappe, who has 14 World Cup goals at the age of 27. Mbappe scored twice against Senegal earlier in the tournament and remains the closest active player to Messi’s tally.
Another milestone in a glittering career
Messi’s latest achievement adds to a long list of records collected during a career spanning more than two decades.
The Argentine captain won the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 and arrived in the United States, Canada and Mexico for what many believe could be his final appearance at the tournament.
Having already become Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and the country’s most-capped player, Messi now stands alone as the leading scorer in World Cup history.
Argentina continue title defence
Messi’s historic double came as Lionel Scaloni’s side secured a second successive victory in Group J following their opening 3-0 win over Algeria.
Austria pushed Argentina throughout the contest and created several chances of their own, but Messi’s goals in the 39th and 95th minutes proved decisive.
The defending champions are aiming to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully retain the FIFA World Cup title.
|
World Cup |
Host Country |
Matches Played |
Goals |
|
2006 |
Germany |
3 |
1 |
|
2010 |
South Africa |
5 |
0 |
|
2014 |
Brazil |
7 |
4 |
|
2018 |
Russia |
4 |
1 |
|
2022 |
Qatar |
7 |
7 |
|
2026 |
USA, Canada & Mexico |
2* |
5* |
(2026 edition still ongoing)
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