From Serbia to Austria: Lionel Messi's 18 World Cup goals on his journey to becoming the all-time top scorer

Lionel Messi has etched his name further into football history, becoming the all-time leading scorer in World Cup tournaments with 18 goals. The milestone was reached during the 2026 World Cup, where his brace against Austria propelled him past previous records. This achievement marks the culmination of a remarkable journey that began twenty years ago.

Messi's World Cup goal-scoring record spans five tournaments, starting with his debut goal in Germany 2006 against Serbia and Montenegro. His tally includes crucial goals that have kept Argentina in contention, propelled them toward glory, and ultimately cemented his legendary status. Each of his 18 goals represents a distinct chapter in his World Cup narrative.

From the 2006 tournament to the current 2026 edition, Messi has consistently found the back of the net on the grandest stage. His goals have been pivotal, including a late winner against Iran in Brazil 2014, a masterful free-kick against Nigeria in the same tournament, and a vital strike against Saudi Arabia in Qatar 2022 that initiated Argentina's eventual comeback.

The article details each of these 18 goals, providing context for their importance. This includes his first World Cup brace against Nigeria in 2014, his opening goal in the 2022 final against France, and his contributions in the knockout stages, such as scoring against Australia to reach the quarterfinals and converting penalties against the Netherlands and Croatia in the semi-finals. His goal against Algeria in the 2026 tournament marked the beginning of Argentina's title defense.