Messi Becomes World Cup’s All-time Top Scorer

Lionel Messi has cemented his status as the most prolific goalscorer in World Cup history.

The 38-year-old struck twice in Argentina’s 2–0 win over Austria on 22 June 2026 to take his career tally at the finals to 18 goals.

His first of the night, his 17th overall, moved him past Germany’s Miroslav Klose (16) to become the leading scorer in the men’s tournament. His second, in stoppage time, took him clear of Brazil’s Marta (17) and made him the outright top scorer across both the men’s and women’s World Cups.

Messi had already made history in Argentina’s opening Group J match against Algeria, scoring a hat-trick in a 3–0 victory. At 38, he became the oldest male player to score a World Cup treble.

By starting against Austria, Messi also extended his own record for World Cup appearances, playing his 28th match at the finals.

It was not a perfect night. In the ninth minute, Messi dragged a penalty wide of the post. It was his third miss from the spot in open play at a World Cup, excluding shootouts, moving him past Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan for the unwanted record of most penalties missed in tournament history.

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