Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, set a new record for the most goals ever scored in the tournament. During a match at Dallas Stadium, Messi scored his 17th World Cup goal, surpassing former German striker Miroslav Klose, who had held the record of 16 goals since 2014. This achievement adds another remarkable chapter to the career of a player who has been making football history for more than two decades.
Messi’s World Cup journey began in 2006 in Germany when he was just 18 years old. In a match against Serbia and Montenegro, he came on as a substitute and scored his first World Cup goal. That moment announced the arrival of a young talent who would go on to become one of the greatest players in football history. Since then, Messi has played in several World Cups, experiencing both success and disappointment, including reaching the 2014 final, where Argentina lost to Germany.
Although the 2018 World Cup in Russia did not bring major success, Messi returned stronger than ever in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He led Argentina to the world title, scoring seven goals during the tournament, including two in the final against France. By winning the trophy, he finally achieved the dream that had eluded him for many years and strengthened his place among the greatest footballers of all time.
At the 2026 World Cup, Messi has continued to demonstrate his exceptional quality despite being 38 years old. Earlier in the tournament, he scored a hat-trick against Algeria before netting his 17th World Cup goal against Austria. That goal made him the all-time leading scorer in the history of the men’s FIFA World Cup. The record comes exactly 20 years after his first World Cup goal, highlighting his incredible consistency and longevity at the highest level of international football.
Speaking after breaking the record, Messi said it was a great honor to be part of World Cup history. He emphasized that the success of the team remains more important to him than personal achievements. However, for many people in Argentina and around the world, his 17th World Cup goal has further cemented his legacy and confirmed his status as one of the greatest players ever to play the game.
