2026 World Cup: Lionel Messi Becomes All-Time Top Scorer

Lionel Messi, the star forward for Inter Miami and the Argentine national team, has etched his name in football history by becoming the all-time leading scorer in World Cup tournaments. His remarkable achievement came during a recent match against Algeria as part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Messi netted a hat-trick in the game, a feat that propelled his total World Cup goal count to 16. This milestone places him in a tie with German legend Miroslav Klose, who previously held the record. Messi's first goal came from a precise strike assisted by Rodrigo De Paul in the first half. In the second half, he capitalized on a rebound from a shot by Alexis Mac Allister before scoring again from a pass by Nicolás González.

While Klose has concluded his professional career and cannot add to his tally, the 38-year-old Messi has the opportunity to further extend his record in the remaining group stage matches of the current World Cup. The match between Argentina and Algeria took place in Kansas City, where Argentina secured a 2-0 victory.

The 2026 World Cup is currently underway from June 11 to July 19, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This tournament marks a significant expansion, being the first to feature 48 national teams.