Lionel Messi broke the all-time FIFA Men's World Cup scoring record on Monday (June 22) after netting his 17th goal during Argentina’s match against Austria in Dallas, Texas. The historic moment came in the 38th minute, making Messi the top scorer in men's World Cup history, surpassing Germany’s Miroslav Klose, who previously held the record with 16 goals. Messi’s goal was a left-footed strike from Facundo Medina’s pass, beating Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.

Messi is also Argentina’s all-time leading goal scorer with 121 goals overall.

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Messi would add a second goal in stoppage time, bringing his total to 18 and lifting Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Austria.

Earlier in the match, Messi missed a penalty kick in the ninth minute but redeemed himself with the record-breaking goal. Messi has now scored four times in the 2026 World Cup, including a hat trick in Argentina’s opening win against Algeria. He is also competing in his sixth World Cup, and Monday marked his 28th appearance in the tournament, a record for any player.

Messi’s latest achievement places him among only three players—France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil’s Jairzinho—to have scored in six consecutive World Cup matches.

Argentina, the defending World Cup champions, are aiming to become only the third team to win back-to-back titles, joining Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962). As Messi continues to add to his already legendary career, all eyes are also on France’s Kylian Mbappé, who ranks fourth on the men’s all-time World Cup scoring list with 14 goals and remains a key challenger to Messi’s new record in future tournaments.

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Theresa Lucas