Lionel Messi has done it again. The Argentine legend scored his 17th World Cup goal in Argentina’s Group J clash against Austria at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, officially becoming the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.
The record-breaking moment came in the first half when Messi found space inside the box and slotted home past Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager. The goal pushed him past Germany’s Miroslav Klose, who held the record with 16 goals since 2014.
The Record-Breaking Goal
Messi’s historic strike came after a tense opening period. He had earlier missed a penalty — saved by Schlager who tried to psych him out — but the 38-year-old didn’t let the miss affect him. Minutes later, he received the ball in his trademark half-space, took a touch, and calmly finished into the bottom corner.
The Dallas crowd erupted. Even Austria fans in the stands rose to applaud.
“Lionel Messi has lit up the World Cup, once again. This man cannot be denied.” — Alistair Bruce-Ball, BBC Radio 5 Live
Messi’s World Cup Goal Journey
| Tournament | Goals Scored |
|---|---|
| 2006 Germany | 1 |
| 2010 South Africa | 0 |
| 2014 Brazil | 4 |
| 2018 Russia | 6 |
| 2022 Qatar | 7 |
| 2026 USA/Canada/Mexico | 3 (and counting) |
| Total | 17 |
Messi entered the 2026 World Cup needing just two goals to tie Klose’s record. He scored a hat-trick against Algeria in Argentina’s opening match to equal the record at 16, then broke it with the opener against Austria.
What This Means for Argentina
Argentina came into the 2026 World Cup as one of the favorites after winning the 2022 Qatar title. With Messi in this form, they look dangerous. The defending champions have won both group matches so far and are well-positioned to advance to the knockout rounds.
Ashley Williams, former Wales defender, said on BBC One: “The patience that Lionel Messi shows — as a defender, sometimes it is easier to play against a striker who is always against you.”
Who Else Is Chasing the Record?
While Messi now sits alone at the top, Kylian Mbappe is not far behind. The French superstar has 14 World Cup goals and could challenge the record before his career is done — he’s still only 27.
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) — 17 goals
- Miroslav Klose (Germany) — 16 goals
- Ronaldo Nazario (Brazil) — 15 goals
- Kylian Mbappe (France) — 14 goals
- Gerd Muller (West Germany) — 14 goals
FAQ
What match did Messi break the record in?
Argentina vs Austria in Group J of the 2026 World Cup, played at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas on June 22, 2026.
How many World Cups has Messi played in?
This is his sixth World Cup (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026).
Did Messi win the World Cup before?
Yes, he led Argentina to victory in the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Could Mbappe break Messi’s record?
At 27 years old with 14 goals, Mbappe has a strong chance if France goes deep in this tournament and future World Cups.
Upcoming Argentina Fixtures
- Round of 32 — vs TBD (June 26-28)
- Round of 16 — Early July
- Quarter-Final — Mid July
- Final — July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
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