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History was made in Dallas on June 22, 2026. Lionel Messi scored a brace against Austria to become the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history, surpassing the legendary Miroslav Klose with 18 career World Cup goals.
It happened live at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico — and the moment was pure Messi: a missed penalty, followed by two ruthless finishes that reminded the world why he’s the GOAT.
The Record-Breaking Night: Argentina 2–0 Austria
| Match | Result | Key Moment |
| Argentina vs Austria (Group J) | 2–0 | Messi penalty miss + record-breaking brace |
Messi came into the match tied with Klose at 16 goals. A hat-trick against Algeria in the World Cup opener had already leveled the record. But against Austria, he went one better — and then another.
The Penalty Miss (9th minute)
Early in the first half, Messi stepped up for a penalty kick. A stuttered run-up and an off-target finish saw the ball drift wide. The stadium gasped. For a moment, it seemed like the record would have to wait.
But this is Messi in 2026 — cooler, more composed, and less defined by individual moments. The miss became fuel, not a setback.
Goal #17 — Tied with Klose (38th minute)
In the 38th minute, Facundo Medina delivered a cutback into the box. Messi met it with a thunderous one-time finish that sailed into the bottom-left corner past Austria keeper Alexander Schlager. 17 goals. Tied with Klose. The record was now within reach.
Goal #18 — History Made (90+5′)
Deep into stoppage time, with Argentina pushing for a second, a deflected save popped back to Messi in the box. His first shot was blocked. His second attempt found the back of the net. 18 goals. Alone at the top. The all-time FIFA World Cup goalscorer.
Messi’s World Cup Goal Timeline
| Year | Tournament Stage | Goals |
| 2006 | First WC goal vs Serbia & Montenegro (age 18) | 1 |
| 2014 | Golden Ball winner, led Argentina to final | 4 |
| 2022 | World Cup Champion — 7 goals including final | 7 |
| 2026 | 5 goals so far, record-breaker vs Austria | 5+ |
| Total | 6 World Cups played (most ever) | 18 |
Messi also became just the third player in history to score in six consecutive World Cup matches, joining Just Fontaine (France) and Jairzinho (Brazil).
Can Mbappé Catch Him?
At just 27 years old, Kylian Mbappé already sits at 14 World Cup goals — fourth all-time. With two hat-tricks already in World Cup finals (2018, 2022), he is on a trajectory to challenge Messi’s record.
| Player | World Cup Goals | Age |
| Lionel Messi 🇦🇷 | 18 | 39 |
| Miroslav Klose 🇩🇪 | 16 | Retired |
| Kylian Mbappé 🇫🇷 | 14 | 27 |
| Marta 🇧🇷 (women’s) | 17* | Retired |
*Marta holds the overall FIFA World Cup record (women’s) with 17 goals, which Messi also surpassed.
What’s Next for Argentina?
Argentina has qualified for the Round of 32 (the new expanded knockout format) with a game to spare in Group J. The defending champions from 2022 are looking every bit like contenders again. With Messi in this form, another deep run feels inevitable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many World Cup goals does Messi have now?
Messi has 18 career World Cup goals, making him the all-time leading scorer in men’s FIFA World Cup history.
Who held the record before Messi?
German striker Miroslav Klose held the record with 16 goals (2002–2014). Messi tied Klose’s record against Algeria in the 2026 opener and broke it with a brace against Austria.
How many World Cups has Messi played in?
Messi has played in six World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026) — more than any player in history.
Did Messi miss a penalty in the record-breaking match?
Yes. Messi missed a penalty in the 9th minute against Austria before scoring twice to break the record.
Final Verdict
Score: 10/10 — Historic.
Messi didn’t just break the record — he did it in style: a missed penalty, a composed first goal, and a scrappy second-chance finish that showed every dimension of his genius. Whether this is his last World Cup or not, he has now left an indelible mark on the tournament’s history.
Watch Argentina’s knockout matches live — the 2026 World Cup is being played right now across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Catch the action and witness history.
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