Lionel Messi at FIFA World Cups: A visual story of his goals
Lionel Messi has become the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history after scoring against Austria in the 2026 tournament. The article tracks his career performance since his 2006 debut and compares his efficiency to other top players like Kylian Mbappe.
Why it matters
Messi is widely considered one of the greatest athletes in history, and his record-breaking performance marks a significant milestone in global sports history.
After a stunning three-goal opener against Algeria on June 16, 2026, Argentina captain Lionel Messi climbed the ranks of footballers with the most goals scored during FIFA World Cups. He was tied with Germany’s Miroslav Klose after that match. The goal on June 22, 2026, at around the 38-minute mark against Austria, has given him 17 goals, putting him first.
The article provides a factual, data-driven account of sports statistics without political or social commentary.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in