Messi Owns World Cup History With Record 18th Goal
Lionel Messi surpassed Miroslav Klose to become the greatest goalscorer in World Cup history with a stunning double against Austria.
Klose’s Fortress Falls in Dallas
Dallas held its breath, then erupted. Lionel Messi, playing in his sixth and perhaps final World Cup, curled home in the 38th minute against Austria to break Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16 World Cup goals. Then he added an 18th deep into stoppage time for good measure. History, carefully curated over four decades, now belongs entirely to Messi.
Germany’s Miroslav Klose scored 16 goals across four World Cups from 2002 to 2014, a record many believed untouchable. Messi had sat on 15 goals entering this tournament, needing just two to erase it. He delivered both in one electrifying evening — first a curling finish in the 38th minute, then a clinical stoppage-time strike to seal the 2-0 victory over Austria and write his name at the top of football’s most storied record.
Messi Surpasses Marta to Lead All World Cups
The second goal did more than extend the men’s record — it made Messi the highest scorer in any FIFA World Cup, men’s or women’s. Brazil’s Marta held the combined record with 17 goals across six Women’s World Cups. Messi’s 18th goal moved him past even that. Across every edition of every version of this tournament in its near-100-year history, no player has found the net more than Lionel Messi.
Argentina remain in full control of their group heading into Matchday 3. But beyond the standings, June 22 will be remembered as the night football’s greatest player cemented a record that may never be broken. The tournament’s golden age is Messi’s to define.
