Guinness World Records highlights Messi's new milestones in World Cup 2026 match
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Lionel Messi set three Guinness World Records during Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria in the 2026 World Cup.
- Messi became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 18 goals.
- He also extended his personal records for most appearances (28) and most minutes played (2,489) in World Cups.
Lionel Messi has cemented his legendary status by breaking three Guinness World Records during Argentina's recent 2-0 win against Austria in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Inter Miami star continues to rewrite the record books, demonstrating his enduring impact on the sport.
Guinness World Records officially recognized Messi's achievements on their social media channels. He now holds the record for the most goals scored in World Cup history, surpassing Miroslav Klose with a total of 18 goals. This milestone underscores his consistent performance on the biggest international stage.
Beyond his scoring prowess, Messi also extended his personal records for the most appearances in World Cups, reaching 28 matches since his debut in Germany in 2006. Furthermore, he has accumulated the most minutes played in the tournament's history, with 2,489 minutes. "We are witnessing history," Guinness World Records stated in their publication, highlighting the significance of Messi's continuous achievements.
The records were set during the second match of Group J in the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina secured a vital victory. Messi's performance not only contributed to his team's success but also added further chapters to his unparalleled career narrative.
Originally published by Cooperativa in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.