Messi breaks World Cup all-time scoring record
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Lionel Messi became the outright leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history, scoring twice in Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria.
- Messi now has 18 World Cup goals, surpassing former Germany striker Miroslav Klose.
- Argentina secured a place in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with their win.
Lionel Messi has etched his name further into football history, becoming the outright leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history. The Argentine captain achieved this milestone by scoring twice in his team's 2-0 victory against Austria on Monday.
With these two goals, Messi's World Cup tally now stands at 18, moving him ahead of former Germany striker Miroslav Klose, who previously held the record with 16 goals. This achievement adds another significant record to Messi's illustrious career, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time.
The brace also propelled Argentina into the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team maintained their perfect start to the tournament, securing six points from their initial two matches. This victory not only highlights Messi's individual brilliance but also underscores Argentina's strong performance as they advance in the competition.
Lionel Messi became the outright leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history after scoring twice in Argentinaโs 2-0 victory over Austria on Monday.
Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.