Messi smashes World Cup scoring record with 17th goal against Austria
Argentina captain Lionel Messi scored his 17th World Cup goal against Austria on June 22, 2026, breaking Miroslav Klose’s long-standing record of 16. After missing an earlier penalty, Messi netted from the edge of the box to open the scoring. He also became the first player to appear in six World Cup tournaments.
This achievement cements Messi’s legacy as the all-time leading World Cup goalscorer, surpassing a record that had stood since 2014. It adds to his historic career ahead of a possible international retirement, boosts Argentina’s attacking reputation in the tournament, and inspires fans worldwide who see sustained excellence at the highest level.
The updated top scorers list shows Messi (17), Klose (16), Ronaldo (Brazil) 15, Gerd Müller (Germany) 14, and Kylian Mbappé (France) 14. With Messi still active, the record may grow further, but any challenger would need sustained World Cup participation and scoring consistency. Will Messi extend his mark before retiring, or will another star emerge to challenge this milestone in future editions?