Lionel Messi’s World Cup goals record was assured today as history was made in front of 70,000 fans. The Argentina captain broke Miroslav Klose’s all-time record on Monday, scoring twice in a 2-0 win over Austria at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, to top the charts with 18 goals. At 38 years and 363 days, two days away from his 39th birthday, Messi has set a mark that may be for a generation.
The brace took him above the tally of 16 he had shared with Klose since his hat-trick against Algeria in Argentina’s opener six days earlier. Messi has now scored all five of his side’s goals in the tournament, and his side have secured top spot in Group J and a place in the last 16.
How Messi broke the World Cup record
The evening did not start well. Messi had the chance to claim the all-time record from the penalty spot in the ninth minute after a foul on Lautaro MartÃnez, but a stuttering run sent his effort wide of the bottom right corner. In the 38th minute, he made amends, sweeping a left-footed shot into the net after a cut-back, before adding a second in injury time, forcing the ball through a crowd of defenders after the keeper had saved his first attempt.
Four of Messi’s 18 World Cup goals have been penalties. The record-breaking strike was anything but: a late run into the box and a low finish into the near corner, the kind of goal that has marked his career. The result extended Argentina’s World Cup winning streak to eight matches since their 2022 opening defeat to Saudi Arabia.
Most world goals of all time: the complete ranking
Messi is now three ahead of Klose and five ahead of Brazil’s Ronaldo. Here’s how the men’s all-time standings look after the win against Austria. For a wider picture, you can browse our All time world records and statistics.
| # | player | nation | goals | tournaments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lionel Messi (active) | Argentina | 18 | 2006 to 2026 |
| 2 | Miroslav Klose | Germany | 16 | 2002 to 2014 |
| 3 | Kylian Mbappé (active) | France | 15 | 2018 to 2026 |
| 3 | Ronaldo | brazil | 15 | 1998 to 2006 |
| 4 | Gerd Muller | West Germany | 14 | 1970 to 1974 |
| 6 | Only Fontaine | France | 13 | 1958 |
| 7 | first | brazil | 12 | 1958 to 1970 |
| 8 | Sandor Kocsis | Hungary | 11 | 1954 |
| 8 | Jurgen Klinsmann | Germany | 11 | 1990 to 1998 |
| 10 | Harry Kane (active) | England | 10 | 2018 to 2026 |
For more on legends near the top of this list, check out our ranking of Top 10 World Cup goalscorers of all timeand our guide the best World Cup finals many of them were enlightened.
Can anyone catch Messi?
The most realistic challenger is Kylian Mbappe. The France captain scored twice against Senegal in his first game to take his tally to 14, level with Gerd Muller and just behind Ronaldo, and will play Iraq on Monday. At 27, Mbappé has the age and goalscoring pace to threaten Messi’s mark in this tournament and the next, although three goals is a considerable gap to close in a single edition. Cristiano Ronaldo, on the other hand, arrives at his sixth World Cup with eight goals, all scored in the group stage.
A handful of records in one afternoon
Goal number 18 brought Messi more than Klose. Now you have:
- becoming the first player, male or female, to score 18 goals in the World Cup, surpassing Marta’s female record of 17;
- scored in six consecutive World Cup matches, the first since Brazil’s Jairzinho in 1970 and only the third since France’s Just Fontaine in 1958;
- extended his own record for most World Cup appearances, with Austria his 28th match;
- becoming the only player to feature in six different editions of the Men’s World Cup.
His first World Cup goal was against Serbia and Montenegro on 16 June 2006, aged 18. His hat-trick in Algeria this month came 20 years later. Defending champions Argentina are chasing back-to-back titles, a feat last accomplished by Brazil in 1962. You can revisit all previous highlights in our record of every World Cup finaland the complete World Cup winners list.
Frequently asked questions
- Who has scored the most goals in the World Cup of all time?
- Lionel Messi, with 18 goals in six tournaments from 2006 to 2026. He broke Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 with a brace against Austria on 22 June 2026.
- When did Messi break the World Cup goals record?
- On June 22, 2026, in Argentina’s 2-0 group stage win against Austria at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. His first goal took him to 17 and his second to 18.
- How many World Cup goals did Miroslav Klose score?
- Klose scored 16 goals for Germany between 2002 and 2014, a record that stood until Messi surpassed him in 2026.
- Can anyone overtake Messi at the 2026 World Cup?
- Kylian Mbappe is the closest active rival with 14 goals, three behind Messi. It would take a deep tournament to narrow the gap to a single edition.
- How many of Messi’s World Cup goals are penalties?
- Four of his 18 World Cup goals have been scored from the penalty spot.
