Lionel Messi breaks record for most World Cup goals with Austria double Lionel Messi became the highest goal scorer in World Cup history on Monday, surpassing the previous record held by Miroslav Klose with a brace in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria. The match, played in Dallas, Texas, secured Argentina’s place in the knockout stage and marked Messi’s 18th career goal at the tournament, moving him past Klose’s previous total of 16. Messi’s performance included a missed penalty in the ninth minute, which briefly denied him the record, but he quickly rebounded with a curling finish in the 38th minute and a late second goal in the 89th minute. Messi’s 18th goal also surpassed the women’s World Cup record held by Marta, who has 17. Kylian Mbappé joined Klose on 16 goals earlier in the day with a double for France in a 3-0 win over Iraq. Messi’s achievement is notable as he continues to break records despite turning 39 on Wednesday and dealing with family health concerns, including his ailing father. The Argentina captain’s path to this milestone began with a hat trick in the team’s opening match against Algeria, which tied him with Klose. That goal tally, scored on June 16, 2022, marked the 11th of his international career and his first at a World Cup. Messi’s World Cup journey started in 2006, when he scored his first goal at 18 years old against Serbia and Montenegro. Since then, he has become the first player to feature in six different editions of the men’s World Cup. Messi’s goals against Austria also brought him closer to the all-time international goal record for Argentina, where he now sits at 122, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo’s 143.#lionel_messi #argentina #austria #thiago_almada #miroslav_klose
Messi Breaks World Cup Goal Record with 18th Strike Against Austria Lionel Messi extended his legacy as the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with his 18th goal for Argentina during the match against Austria on June 22, 2026. The milestone came in the 38th minute as Messi converted a left-footed shot from a pass by Facundo Medina, surpassing the previous record held by Germany’s Miroslav Klose, who had scored 16 goals in World Cup tournaments. Messi’s achievement was preceded by a missed penalty in the ninth minute, where he sent the ball wide to the right, but he rebounded with a second-half goal to cement his place in history. The 39-year-old Argentine, who had already scored 13 goals in prior World Cup editions, reached this milestone after a standout performance in the opening match against Algeria, where he netted a hat-trick to equal Klose’s record of 16 goals. This latest goal marked his 18th in World Cup history, a feat that underscores his longevity and consistency on the global stage. Messi’s journey in the tournament began in 2006, when he scored his first official goal against Serbia and Montenegro, and he has since become a symbol of Argentina’s footballing excellence. Throughout his career, Messi has not only dominated the World Cup but also set numerous other records. He holds the title of most Ballon d’Or winners (eight), most goals in a single calendar year (91 in 2012), most goals for a single club (672 with Barcelona), and most goals in La Liga history (474). His World Cup record is further highlighted by his role in leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 tournament in Qatar, where he scored seven goals, including two in the final against France. Beyond his individual achievements, Messi has also been instrumental in Argentina’s international success.#lionel_messi #argentina #world_cup #miroslav_klose #facundo_medina
Lionel Messi Makes History as World Cup’s All-Time Top Scorer Lionel Messi etched his name into World Cup history on Monday, surpassing Miroslav Klose to become the tournament’s all-time leading scorer. The 38-year-old Argentine captain achieved the milestone during Argentina’s match against Austria, despite a missed penalty in the opening minutes. Messi’s historic goal came amid personal challenges, as his father, Jorge Messi, was undergoing a health-related situation, a matter the family addressed with a statement urging fans to avoid speculation. The emotional weight of the moment was palpable. After scoring his first goal of the game against Austria, Messi broke down in tears, a reaction he later attributed to “difficult days” he had recently faced. The family’s statement clarified that Jorge Messi’s health situation was private, asking for respect and restraint from the public. Despite the personal turmoil, Messi remained focused on the task at hand, delivering a performance that underscored his enduring brilliance. Messi’s goal against Austria came after a penalty miss in the eighth minute, but he quickly rebounded with a powerful strike from the edge of the box in the 30th minute, sending the Austrian goalkeeper the wrong way. The goal not only secured his place in history but also highlighted his ability to rise above adversity. Austria captain David Alaba acknowledged the challenge posed by Messi, calling him “one of the best players in the world” and emphasizing the difficulty of facing Argentina’s star striker. The match itself was a testament to Messi’s influence. Argentina, the reigning world champions, had already demonstrated their dominance with a commanding 4-0 victory over Jordan in their opening game, where Messi’s hat-trick reignited memories of his peak form.#lionel_messi #julin_lvarez #miroslav_klose #jorge_messi #david_alaba
Messi’s World Cup Hat Trick Caps Historic Day for Soccer Stars Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass performance in Argentina’s opening World Cup match against Algeria, netting a hat trick to tie the tournament’s all-time scoring record with Germany’s Miroslav Klose. The 39-year-old forward, who will celebrate his birthday next week, silenced any doubts about his ability to lead Argentina to back-to-back titles after recovering from a hamstring injury. His three goals in a 3-0 victory marked his first career World Cup hat trick and propelled him to 16 tournament goals, matching Klose’s historic tally. Messi’s display began in the opening minutes, with his second goal coming off a rebound shortly after halftime. The third strike arrived moments before he was substituted, earning a standing ovation from the crowd. The performance underscored his status as one of soccer’s greatest players, with his 61st career hat trick now etched into World Cup history. Messi, who made his World Cup debut in 2006, became the first player to appear in six World Cups, showcasing his longevity and adaptability. Argentina’s 3-0 win secured their place at the top of Group J, ahead of Austria on goal difference. The group also includes Jordan, which defeated Austria 3-1 in an earlier match. Messi’s dominance overshadowed the efforts of other megastars, including Kylian Mbappé of France and Erling Haaland of Norway. Mbappé, who scored twice in France’s 3-1 win over Senegal, moved into a tie for fourth on the World Cup goals list with 14 goals. Haaland, playing his first World Cup, added two goals for Norway in a 4-1 victory over Iraq, further highlighting the tournament’s star-studded lineup. The World Cup’s opening day also featured a clash between England and Croatia in Texas, a rematch of the 2018 semifinal.#lionel_messi #argentina #world_cup #thomas_tuchel #miroslav_klose
