Messi surpasses Klose to claim World Cup all-time scoring record
The milestone, achieved at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, cements Lionel Messi’s status as the highest scorer in FIFA World Cup history, overtaking Miroslav Klose’s previous mark of 16.
Lionel Messi has secured the all-time scoring record in FIFA World Cup history, netting his 17th career tournament goal during Argentina’s Group J fixture against Austria. The milestone was reached in the 38th minute at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where the Argentina captain opened the scoring in a match that concluded with a victory for the defending champions.
The achievement elevates Messi above Germany’s Miroslav Klose, who previously held the record with 16 goals across four tournaments. Messi, now 38, has scored in six successive World Cup editions, a feat accomplished by only two other players in history. His total international tally for Argentina now stands at 121 goals in 201 appearances.
This record-breaking goal followed a hat-trick against Algeria in Argentina’s opening match of the 2026 tournament, which had equalled Klose’s tally. The current fixture marks the first World Cup match hosted on United States soil since 1994, with the broader 2026 tournament being staged across the US.
Messi’s performance reinforces his central role in the squad, despite earlier in the match where he missed a penalty. Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister emphasised the captain’s influence following the win against Algeria, stating that Messi’s presence proved he was the most important player in the group.
Argentina’s path to the knockout stages remains contingent on their remaining Group J matches. A victory over Austria would secure qualification, while finishing top of the group is assured if Jordan fails to defeat Algeria. The statistical landscape of the tournament’s history now places Brazilian legend Ronaldo third on the all-time list with 15 goals, followed by Gerd Muller and Kylian Mbappe.
