Lionel Messi has rewritten FIFA World Cup history after becoming the tournament’s all-time leading goalscorer.
The Argentina captain scored twice against Austria to take his World Cup tally to 18 goals, moving ahead of former Germany striker Miroslav Klose, who held the record with 16 goals.
For years, Klose’s record stood as one of the strongest marks in World Cup history. It was built across four tournaments, from 2002 to 2014, and reflected Germany’s consistency on the biggest stage. Messi has now moved beyond that record in his sixth World Cup appearance, adding another chapter to a career already filled with historic moments.
Why Messi’s Record Matters
Messi’s rise to the top of the World Cup scoring chart is not just about goals. It is about longevity, consistency and the ability to perform across different generations of football.
He scored his first World Cup goal as a teenager in 2006. He later became Argentina’s leader through difficult campaigns, including the 2014 final defeat to Germany. In 2022, he finally lifted the trophy in Qatar after producing one of the greatest individual tournament runs of the modern era.
Now, at 38, he has returned to the World Cup stage and moved ahead of every player in the tournament’s scoring history.
That is why the record carries so much weight. It shows that Messi has not only dominated club football but has also delivered across multiple World Cup eras.
How Messi Passed Klose
Messi entered the 2026 World Cup with 13 goals from previous editions. He then scored a hat-trick against Algeria, drawing level with Klose’s 16-goal record.
Against Austria, he had the chance to move clear early in the match but missed a penalty. Instead of allowing that moment to define the game, he responded by scoring twice as Argentina won 2-0.
Those goals pushed him to 18 in total and placed him alone at the top of the all-time chart.
The moment also helped Argentina secure progress to the knockout stage, showing that Messi’s goals were not only historic but also important to the team’s campaign.
The Current Top 10 World Cup Goalscorers
Messi now leads the FIFA World Cup all-time scoring list with 18 goals. Miroslav Klose is second with 16 goals, while Brazil legend Ronaldo is third with 15.
Gerd Müller and Kylian Mbappé both have 14 goals, placing them among the most efficient scorers in tournament history. Just Fontaine sits on 13 goals, all scored in the 1958 World Cup, making his record one of football’s most remarkable single-tournament achievements.
Pelé follows with 12 goals, while Jürgen Klinsmann and Sándor Kocsis have 11 each. Gabriel Batistuta completes the top 10 with 10 goals for Argentina.
The list is a mix of different football eras. It includes classic centre-forwards, modern wide attackers and players who became national symbols for their countries.
Why Mbappé Could Still Change The List
While Messi’s record is now the main story, Kylian Mbappé remains one of the players most likely to climb higher.
The France forward already has 14 World Cup goals and is still in his peak years. His scoring rate at the tournament is exceptional, and if France go deep in 2026, he could move closer to Klose, Messi and Ronaldo.
Mbappé’s presence gives the list a live feel. Unlike older records that were frozen in history, the World Cup scoring chart is still changing in real time.
That makes the current era especially interesting. Messi has just taken the lead, but Mbappé may still have several tournaments ahead of him.
Expert View: Why This Record Strengthens Messi’s Legacy
From a football legacy perspective, Messi’s new record strengthens the argument that he is the most complete attacking player of his generation.
World Cup records are different from club records because players have fewer matches, less preparation time and far more pressure. A player cannot chase these numbers every week. The opportunity comes once every four years, and one poor tournament can change the entire story.
Messi’s record shows rare durability. He has adapted from teenage attacker to creative leader, then to senior match-winner. His game has changed with age, but his influence has remained.
That is why this record feels bigger than a number. It confirms his ability to remain decisive across 20 years of international football.
What This Means For Argentina
For Argentina, Messi’s record is more than an individual achievement. It gives the defending champions another emotional push in their title defence.
A team built around Messi’s leadership now has another reason to believe. His goals against Austria did not only move him above Klose. They also showed that he can still decide games when the pressure rises.
Argentina will still need strong performances from the rest of the squad, especially as the tournament enters the knockout rounds. But when Messi is scoring, creating and leading, Argentina remain one of the teams opponents will fear most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history?
Lionel Messi is now the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history with 18 goals.
Who held the record before Messi?
Miroslav Klose of Germany previously held the record with 16 World Cup goals.
How did Messi break the record?
Messi scored twice for Argentina against Austria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, taking his total from 16 to 18 goals.
Who are the top three World Cup goalscorers?
The top three are Lionel Messi with 18 goals, Miroslav Klose with 16 goals and Ronaldo of Brazil with 15 goals.
How many World Cups has Messi played in?
Messi has played in six FIFA World Cup tournaments.
Can Kylian Mbappé break Messi’s record?
Kylian Mbappé could challenge the record if he continues scoring at his current pace. He already has 14 World Cup goals and still has time to move higher on the list
