Messi breaks World Cup scoring record as Argentina advance
The 38-year-old’s left-footed curler against Austria extends his consecutive match scoring streak to six, drawing comparisons to Just Fontaine and Jairzinho while contrasting with the limited impact of rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Lionel Messi has officially become the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history, overtaking Germany’s Miroslav Klose with his 17th career tournament goal. The milestone was secured during Argentina’s group stage match against Austria in the 2026 World Cup, where the 38-year-old Inter Miami forward scored a trademark left-footed curler in the 38th minute. This achievement extends Messi’s scoring streak to six consecutive World Cup matches, a feat previously achieved only by France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil’s Jairzinho in 1958. No player has ever scored in seven straight matches at the tournament.
Messi’s record-breaking performance comes shortly after he scored a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening game against Algeria. He currently shares the record for most chances created in World Cup history since 1966 with Diego Maradona, sitting one assist away from breaking it outright according to Opta data. The Inter Miami forward has now scored 17 goals in 28 World Cup matches, positioning himself as a strong contender for the Golden Boot, an individual prize he has never won despite his tournament success.
The longevity of Messi’s elite performance has drawn commentary from peers and experts alike. Olivier Giroud, who also plays in his late 30s, attributed Messi’s sustained form to a focus on "life hygiene," including sleep, diet, and body care, alongside an intrinsic passion for competition. Sports psychologist Michael Caulfield noted that players of this age rely on self-discipline and sports science to manage the physical grind, while Wayne Rooney suggested that Messi’s ball control compensates for any lost athleticism, speculating that he could potentially play in the next World Cup if his form holds.
Messi’s display stood in stark contrast to that of his perennial rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, who is playing in his sixth World Cup with Portugal. The 41-year-old made very little impact in his side’s opening draw against DR Congo. Rooney commented that Ronaldo would likely be frustrated by Messi’s continued dominance, noting that the two stars have historically spurred each other on with their self-belief and desire to outperform younger rivals such as Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
Despite turning 39 on Wednesday, Messi remains a central figure in global football, having captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title. His ability to maintain high-level performance after three years in Major League Soccer highlights a combination of physical discipline and mental resilience. As Argentina prepare for their third group match against Jordan, Messi’s statistical achievements and on-field influence continue to define the current era of international football.
