Lionel Messi breaks World Cup goal record

Argentina superstar Lionel Messi is now the greatest goal-scorer in World Cup history. His goal in the 39th minute of the Argentina-Austria match gave him 17 all-time, surpassing Germany’s Miroslav Klose, who set the record in the 2014 tournament.

The record-setting goal was classic Messi. With the ball on the wing, Messi lurked at the top of the box, and when the low cross came in, he moved like a flash to hit it and bury the goal.

The GOAT stands alone.

MESSI BECOMES THE ALL-TIME LEADING GOALSCORER IN MEN’S FIFA WORLD CUP HISTORY pic.twitter.com/aWY9thIuUG

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 22, 2026

Messi’s 17th goal in this international competition is his fourth in the World Cup 2026. He netted a hat trick in his squad’s first match vs. Algeria.

The goal was the second opportunity for Messi to break the World Cup goals record. In the ninth minute, Messi missed a penalty. That missed shot came after two Austrian defenders converged in the box and tackled Lauturo Martinez from behind. Not initially deemed a penalty, VAR reversed the call and allowed Messi to step up and take the shot, which he missed to the right of the post.

Messi broke the record in his sixth World Cup and 28th match. That is two more tournaments and four more matches than Klose, who featured on the German squad in the 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cups.

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