Messi Becomes World Cup's All-Time Top Scorer
Lionel Messi is the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. The Argentina captain scored twice in a 2-0 win over Austria at Dallas Stadium on Monday 22 June to take his career World Cup total to 18 goals, two clear of Germany's Miroslav Klose, the previous record holder on 16. Argentina booked their place in the last 32 with the win. Messi has now scored all five of Argentina's goals at the tournament.
Lionel Messi became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history on 22 June 2026, taking his career total to 18 goals after a brace in Argentina's 2-0 win over Austria at Dallas Stadium. Messi passed Miroslav Klose's record of 16. Argentina advanced to the last 32 with the result.
How did Messi break the World Cup goals record?
Messi tied Klose's all-time record of 16 World Cup goals in Argentina's tournament opener. The captain scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria on 16 June. At 38 years and 357 days, he became the oldest hat-trick scorer in World Cup history. It was Messi's first World Cup hat-trick and the 11th of his international career.
The record fell against Austria. Messi missed a penalty early in the first half. In the 38th minute he latched onto a Thiago Almada cutback and finished first-time to put Argentina ahead. He had a second effort blocked in stoppage time. His 18th career World Cup goal arrived deep into added time, finishing low to confirm the result and the record.
The two-goal margin over Klose means Messi is now clear at the top of the all-time scoring chart. Klose set the previous record across four World Cup tournaments between 2002 and 2014, finishing with 16 goals.
Every Messi record at the 2026 World Cup
Messi has set or extended five records at this World Cup.
All-time men's World Cup goals: 18, breaking Klose's 16.
First player to feature in six different men's World Cup editions, starting in Germany 2006 and now Argentina's defence in 2026.
Third player in history to score in six consecutive World Cup matches, joining France's Just Fontaine in 1958 and Brazil's Jairzinho in 1970.
Oldest hat-trick scorer in World Cup history, at 38 years and 357 days against Algeria on 16 June.
Twelve World Cup goals scored since turning 35, more than any player before him.
The defending champion has also scored all five of Argentina's goals at the tournament so far. Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez and Thiago Almada have all played significant minutes. None of them have scored. Messi is doing it on his own.
What Messi's record means for collectors
Messi's 18 World Cup goals across six tournaments make him the most decorated international goalscorer of the modern era. Signed memorabilia from his career tracks the appreciation curve of his historical status, which hardens with every record extended at this tournament. The 2026 World Cup window in particular will produce a defining generation of Messi collector items.
The defending champion captain plays his round-of-32 match within the next week. If Argentina go deep, Messi will add to his record across the knockout rounds. Each goal extends the gap between him and Klose, and lifts the value of every Messi piece on the secondary market.