Messi Breaks World Cup All-Time Scoring Record With
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- Lionel Messi became the World Cup's all-time leading scorer with 18 goals, surpassing Germany's Miroslav Klose after scoring twice in Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria on Monday.
- Messi missed an 8th-minute penalty but recovered with a low first-half strike and a stoppage-time finish from a tight angle, the latter breaking the record.
- The record-breaking match fell exactly 40 years to the day after Diego Maradona scored twice against England in the 1986 quarter-final, a parallel noted throughout the coverage.
- Messi has scored all five of Argentina's goals at this tournament, 12 of his 18 World Cup goals since turning 35, and 14 with his left foot; he also holds the record for most chances created in tournament history (76).
- Having retired from international football in 2016 after losing the Copa America final to Chile, Messi reversed that decision and has since captained Argentina to two Copa America titles and the 2022 World Cup.
- Even in his record-breaking night, Messi set unwanted marks — most penalties taken (7) and missed (3) in World Cup history, excluding shootouts — and became the first player to miss a penalty at the 2026 tournament.
- Argentina have already qualified for the last 32; Messi, level with Maradona on eight World Cup assists, faces Jordan in the final group match on Sunday.
Why it matters: Messi's 18 World Cup goals establish a new high-water mark in tournament history at age 38, with Jordan still to play — meaning the record could grow further. He is the third player to score in six successive World Cup matches, joining Fontaine and Jairzinho, and his fitness at 38 fuels speculation, echoed by Spanish journalist Guillem Balague, that he could feature in a seventh World Cup at 42.
