Messi Makes History as the World Cup's All-Time Top Scorer

With a brace against Austria, Messi hits 18 goals and breaks Klose's record. Inside the milestone of the 2026 World Cup.

It finally happened: Lionel Messi is now the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history. With his brace against Austria at the 2026 World Cup, the Argentina captain reached 18 goals at the finals and overtook a record many thought would stand forever — Miroslav Klose's tally of 16. At 38 years old and in his sixth World Cup, Messi has reminded the world, one more time, exactly why his name is a synonym for greatness.

The goal that rewrote the record books

It came on Monday 22 June at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where Argentina beat Austria 2-0. In the 38th minute Messi bundled the ball home for his 17th career World Cup goal, moving clear of Klose for the first time. Just to remove any doubt, he added an 18th deep in stoppage time to seal a perfect night for the reigning world champions. The twist? He had earlier missed a penalty — something he owned up to afterwards: "There were moments when I was really angry about missing the penalty, but I was able to make up for it."

From 13 to 18: the road to the record

Messi arrived at the 2026 finals on 13 goals spread across five tournaments. In Argentina's opener against Algeria — a 3-0 win — he scored his first ever World Cup hat-trick, drawing level with Klose on 16. A few days later, against Austria, he finished the job. Remarkably, he has scored all five of Argentina's goals at the tournament so far: a reliance that is equal parts thrilling and slightly terrifying for his country.

• 2006 (Germany): 1 goal, aged just 18
• 2010 (South Africa): 0 goals, the one that still stings
• 2014 (Brazil): 4 goals and a runners-up medal
• 2018 (Russia): 1 goal
• 2022 (Qatar): 7 goals and the title at last
• 2026 (USA-Canada-Mexico): 5 goals… and counting

His team-mates made no attempt to hide their emotions. Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister put it bluntly after the final whistle, leaving no doubt about what Messi still means to this dressing room.

The context makes the record all the sweeter. This is a player who had already won everything — including the 2022 World Cup in Qatar — and who, rather than coasting, is still hell-bent on pushing his own limits at an age when almost all of his contemporaries have long since hung up their boots. Every goal he scores at this tournament feels like a farewell chapter nobody wants to end.

Messi vs Klose: why this record is different

Klose needed four World Cups (2002-2014) to reach 16 goals and lift the trophy in Brazil. Messi has taken six tournaments, from the teenager who debuted in 2006 to the veteran talisman of 2026. Beyond the raw numbers, the record carries huge symbolic weight: it confirms Messi as the most decisive footballer in the history of the planet's biggest tournament — a stage where consistency matters every bit as much as talent.

Argentina are already through: what happens next?

The defending champions have been ruthless: two games, two wins and a place in the knockout phase of the new 48-team format already secured. With Messi in this kind of form, Argentina are once again the team to beat in every prediction league and office sweepstake — firm favourites to retain the crown they won in Qatar.

Enjoy the World Cup with your friends

Records like Messi's are what turn a World Cup into something unforgettable — and it is a whole lot more fun when you live it competing against your mates. Calling who will score, which underdog will spring a surprise or how far Argentina will go is the perfect excuse not to miss a single match, and to make every goal count double in the group chat.

If you still do not have your bracket for this World Cup, on quiniPrats you can set up a prediction league with friends in a couple of minutes and invite everyone to forecast each round. No pressure, no fuss — just football, predictions and plenty of laughs while Messi writes the closing chapters of his legend.