Messi Sets New World Cup Goals Record with 17th Strike
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has become the all-time leading goal scorer in men’s FIFA World Cup history, netting his 17th tournament goal during a match against Austria on Monday.
The record-breaking strike came in the 38th minute, when Messi finished a left-footed first-time effort following a pass from Facundo Medina, moving him past Germany’s Miroslav Klose, who previously held the record with 16 goals.
Messi, who recently turned 39, had earlier missed a penalty in the opening stages of the match but later recovered to make history.
The Argentine forward entered the 2026 tournament on 13 World Cup goals and added to his tally with a hat-trick in the opening game, equalling Klose’s record before setting the new benchmark in the following match.
Messi’s World Cup journey began in 2006 and has spanned six editions, with goals recorded in multiple tournaments including a standout campaign in 2022 when he led Argentina to World Cup glory.
The achievement adds to an already decorated career that includes multiple global records and major international and club honours.
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