Messi surpasses Klose to become World Cup’s all-time leading scorer
The milestone was achieved despite an earlier missed penalty, as both Argentina and Austria enter the knockout stage contention with opening victories.
Lionel Messi has officially become the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history, overtaking Germany’s Miroslav Klose with his 17th career tournament goal. The record-breaking milestone was secured during the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, marking a significant shift in the statistical landscape of international football.
The achievement occurred during a fixture against Austria in Arlington, Texas. The venue holds particular historical weight for the tournament, as it marks the first World Cup match hosted on United States soil since 1994. The 2026 edition is the first to be hosted across multiple nations, with the United States serving as the primary host and Arlington designated as a key location for group stage matches.
Messi’s path to the record was not without complication during the match. He had earlier missed a penalty kick, but managed to convert a subsequent opportunity to reach the 17-goal mark. This performance allowed him to surpass Klose, who previously held the record with 16 goals, a benchmark that had stood for many years prior to the 2026 tournament.
Both Argentina and Austria entered the fixture in strong form, having won their respective opening matches. Argentina, the reigning world champions, secured their victory against Algeria, while Austria defeated Jordan in their debut game. These results positioned both squads favourably, with the potential to top their group following this encounter.
The result underscores the competitive nature of the 2026 World Cup group stage, where every point carries significant implications for qualification to the knockout bracket. With both teams demonstrating early momentum, the match in Arlington served as a pivotal moment for both national sides and for Messi’s individual legacy in the sport.
