Lionel Messi has etched his name even deeper into football history, becoming the outright highest goalscorer in the history of the FIFA Men's World Cup after taking his tally to 18 goals during Argentina's victory over Austria in the 2026 tournament.
The Argentine captain entered the match level with Germany's Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals after producing the first World Cup hat-trick of his illustrious career against Algeria.
Just days later, Messi surpassed the long-standing record in dramatic fashion. After missing an early penalty, the 38-year-old responded with the composure and determination that have defined his career, scoring to move past Klose before adding another goal late in the game to extend his record to 18.
The milestone is the latest addition to an extraordinary international career that has already seen Messi win the FIFA World Cup, the Copa América and numerous individual honours. Having featured in an unprecedented six World Cups, he has demonstrated remarkable consistency by scoring across multiple editions of football's biggest tournament.
Messi's journey on the World Cup stage began in Germany in 2006 when he scored his first tournament goal as a teenager. Two decades later, he continues to dominate the global stage, proving that age has done little to diminish his influence or finishing ability.
Beyond the numbers, the record reflects Messi's longevity, resilience and ability to perform under immense pressure. While many of the game's greatest strikers enjoyed prolific but relatively short World Cup careers, Messi has maintained elite standards over six tournaments, setting a benchmark that may prove difficult to surpass.
With Argentina advancing confidently in the 2026 World Cup, Messi now has the opportunity to further extend a record that once seemed untouchable. For football fans around the world, every match could bring another historic moment from a player who continues to redefine greatness.
