Messi Breaks Klose's World Cup Scoring Record: 18 Goals and Still Going

[Always_Myles26]

Lionel Messi is now the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history. Full stop. He had matched Miroslav Klose's record of 16 goals with his hat-trick against Algeria in game one. Then he went and scored twice against Austria to go to 18 goals in 28 World Cup appearances. The man is 38 years old. He missed a penalty early in the match. Then he scored with a first-time finish in the 38th minute to break the record. Then he added a second in stoppage time. Argentina won 2-0 and are through to the knockout stages. Klose's record stood for twelve years. Messi broke it at his sixth World Cup at an age when most footballers are doing punditry. He also became only the third player in history to score in six consecutive World Cup matches joining Just Fontaine in 1958 and Jairzinho in 1970. The Messi era just refuses to end.

Lionel Messi: Argentina star breaks World Cup scoring record with goal against Austria at 2026 World Cupwww.skysports.com

[Jonathan_Repetto]

He missed a penalty first. Then broke the all-time World Cup scoring record. In the same match. At 38. The man is simply not normal

[Ronan_34]

Klose's record felt untouchable for years. The fact Messi broke it at his sixth World Cup is poetic

[Sigma]

18 goals in World Cup football. The next active player closest is Mbappe on 14. The gap is enormous

[NightCrawler33]

Argentina are through to the knockout stages with a game to spare. Defending champions looking like they'll defend again

[Sequence48]

Six consecutive World Cup matches with a goal. Only Fontaine and Jairzinho have done it before. In 1958 and 1970. Messi joins that list in 2026

[DotEXE]

The penalty miss made it more human and more dramatic. Classic Messi. Nearly gave us a heart attack then broke history

[ClaudioHerrera]

Austria pushed hard and kept it tight until the goals came. Argentina needed Messi again. Argentina always needs Messi

[TheGame92]

What records are even left for him? He's broken everything there is to break in club and international football

[Dan96]

38 years old. Hat-trick in game one. Brace in game two. Five goals in two matches. Nobody told him to slow down

[VectorDB Cobra]

The celebrations at full time were massive. Argentina know they have something special and they're making the most of it while it lasts