Messi breaks all-time World Cup scoring record with two goals in Argentina win
Lionel Messi continued to make history on Monday, breaking the all-time men’s World Cup scoring record by scoring both goals in a 2-0 Argentina win over Austria in Dallas.
The Argentina and Inter Miami captain, who turns 39 on Wednesday, moved to 18 career World Cup goals, passing German legend Miroslav Klose, who scored 16. He also passed the all-time Women’s World Cup leading scorer, Marta of Brazil, who has 17.
Messi has scored all five goals for Argentina at this World Cup, and he has scored in six consecutive World Cup games since 2022.
He missed a penalty kick earlier in the game, sending it wide right, but wound up setting the record in the 38th minute, slotting home a shot to the bottom right corner on a pass from Facundo Medina.
Then, deep in injury time, Julian Alvarez had a one-on-one saved by the goalkeeper, and Messi got the loose rebound and sent the ball over the goal line.
Messi had tied Klose’s record by scoring a hat trick during Argentina’s 3-0 over Algeria in the tournament opener in Kansas City. It was his first hat trick in a World Cup, and it came 20 years to the day from his first World Cup goal, which he scored as an 18-year-old at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
“It’s an honor being up there for what it means, being alongside Klose and [Brazil’s] Ronaldo, who is there also. But it’s just a statistic and doesn’t mean anything,” Messi said of tying the record. “[Kylian] Mbappe is there, too, he scored twice [on Tuesday]. At the end of the day, they are stats and nothing more.”
Messi has been able to score four goals at this World Cup despite dealing with his father’s medical issues. Messi’s family confirmed on Thursday that Jorge Messi, the father of the Argentina and Inter Miami captain, is undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed illness.
The family pleaded for privacy and “humanity” from media and fans while Lionel competes at the World Cup.
“[Jorge Messi] is currently under medical supervision, recovering, and progressing favorably from his current condition,” the family said in a statement.
This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 2:28 PM.