06/22/2026
Lionel Messi: The World Cupās Greatest Goalscorer ā Ever.
History was made today, right here on June 22, 2026. Lionel Messi is now the all-time leading goalscorer at the FIFA Menās World Cup, breaking Miroslav Kloseās 12-year record by scoring his 17th goal ā and then adding an 18th to seal a 2-0 victory for Argentina against Austria. ļæ¼
The Record-Breaking Moment
Messi entered this World Cup with 13 career goals across five previous tournaments, then scored a hat-trick in the opener against Algeria to tie Kloseās record of 16. ļæ¼ Today, he missed a penalty in the first half, but just minutes later found the net from an even tougher angle to become the tournamentās all-time leading scorer ā and then added a second goal in the closing minutes to reach 18. ļæ¼
Beyond the Menās Game
His 18th goal also moves him clear of womenās World Cup top scorer Marta, who has 17 ā meaning Messi now stands alone as the World Cupās all-time leading goalscorer, male or female. ļæ¼
A Journey 20 Years in the Making
Messi scored his first World Cup goal on June 16, 2006, at 18 years old, against Serbia and Montenegro. Twenty years later, he continues to break records. ļæ¼ He failed to score in 2010, but his 2022 campaign was his most prolific yet ā more goals than his previous three tournaments combined ā capped by lifting the trophy after a spectacular final against France. ļæ¼
What He Said
āItās an honor being up there for what it means, being alongside Klose and Ronaldoā¦ But it doesnāt mean anything,ā Messi said. āAt the end of the day, they are stats and nothing more.ā ļæ¼
The Chase Continues
Franceās Kylian MbappĆ©, at just 27, already sits fourth all-time with 14 World Cup goals and appears destined to challenge the record in the years ahead. ļæ¼ But for now, at 38 years old, the GOAT stands alone at the summit of footballās greatest stage. šš¦š·
