Lionel Messi becomes all-time World Cup goals record holder with his 17th goal for Argentina

On Monday, June 22, 2026 Lionel Messi broke the World Cup scoring record with his 17th goal for Argentina's match against Austria, coming around in the 38th minute after he had missed a penalty kick earlier in the game.

Messi had pushed his left-footed penalty just wide of the right post, dropping his World Cup regulation-time penalty record to 4-for-7. He has now missed penalties in three consecutive tournaments.

During the second half, the player added to his record by scoring his fifth goal of the tournament to lead Argentina to a 2-0 win, making his total of 18 goals, the most ever scored by a player in World Cup history. More than 70,000 football fanatics got to witness the historic moment for Messi in Arlington, Texas. 

Adding to the list of milestones, this was the sixth consecutive World Cup game in which Messi has scored. The Argentinian will have lots to celebrate on his birthday as he will be turning 39 years old this week.

Messi matched Germany striker Miroslav Klose’s World Cup record of 16 goals by scoring his first tournament hat trick in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria in their Group J opener last Tuesday night in Kansas City. At just 38 years old, he became the oldest player in history to ever score a hat-trick in a World Cup match. 

Throughout Messi’s career he has scored a total of 61 hat tricks for FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami and the Argentina national team.

After scoring twice in Argentina’s victory over Austria, Messi spoke in a post-match interview with Champside about tying the World Cup goals record, the team’s performance and securing a place in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“Well, obviously, there’s a lot of happiness, especially because of the win; it was a very tough victory. We knew it was going to be a high-intensity match, and we couldn't afford to let our guard down even a little bit because of that intensity,” Messi said.  “So, I’m happy—happy with the result and with qualifying. It was important for us to get the six points so we could have a calmer week ahead. Yeah, I’m happy.”

With its place in the Round of 32 secured, Argentina has taken another step toward defending its World Cup crown, joining Mexico, the United States, Germany, France and Norway among the teams that have already advanced at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.