As if Lionel Messi’s legacy needed another chapter.
The Argentine legend added perhaps the greatest accomplishment of his international career Monday afternoon, scoring twice in Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria to become the all-time leading goalscorer in men’s FIFA World Cup history. His two goals moved him from 16 to 18 career World Cup goals, surpassing German icon Miroslav Klose and further cementing his place atop football’s Mount Rushmore.
The moment almost didn’t happen.
Messi missed a first-half penalty that could have broken the record earlier, but the setback hardly fazed him. Minutes later, he latched onto a brilliant low cross from Facundo Medina and calmly finished to score his historic 17th World Cup goal. Deep into stoppage time, he struck again to make it 18 and put the record completely out of reach.
History has followed Messi throughout this tournament.
Just days ago, the 38-year-old delivered the first World Cup hat trick of his legendary career against Algeria, tying Klose’s longstanding record of 16 goals. Now, only one match later, he owns it outright. The record many believed would stand forever now belongs to Argentina’s No. 10.
The remarkable part is that Messi isn’t simply chasing history—he’s still playing like one of the best players in the world.
Through Argentina’s first two matches, he has scored five goals while leading the defending champions into the knockout stage with a game to spare. Every touch, every pass, and every finish continues to remind fans why he remains the heartbeat of Lionel Scaloni’s squad.
This latest record joins an already unmatched résumé that includes a World Cup title, multiple Golden Balls, six World Cup appearances, the most World Cup matches ever played, and now the one record every striker dreams of owning.
There will always be debates over the greatest footballer of all time.
But when it comes to the FIFA World Cup, no player has scored more goals than Lionel Messi.
And with Argentina looking every bit like a legitimate contender to defend its title, there’s every chance the greatest goalscorer in World Cup history isn’t finished adding to his total.
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