Lionel Messi breaks record for career goals scored at the World Cup

Argentina star Lionel Messi has set a new record for career goals scored at the men’s World Cup, recording his 17th World Cup goal against Austria on Monday.

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Messi scored the record goal in the 38th minute, burying a left-footed one-timer off a pass from Facundo Medina. Messi had a chance to break the record much earlier in the match, but missed a penalty kick wide right in the ninth minute.

Messi, who turns 39 this week, entered this World Cup with 13 career goals across five World Cup tournaments. He scored a hat trick in the team’s opener against Algeria to tie Germany’s Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 before setting the new mark Monday.

Messi’s World Cup career began in 2006, when he scored only his second goal for Argentina (and first in a non-exhibition) against Serbia and Montenegro.

After failing to score at the 2010 World Cup, Messi scored four times at the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

Messi scored only once more at the 2018 Cup before his remarkable performance in 2022. Messi scored seven times for Argentina during the country’s World Cup-winning run in Qatar, including twice in the final in a win over France.

The World Cup record is yet another accomplishment in Messi’s highly decorated career.

In addition to scoring the most goals in World Cup history, Messi has won more Ballon d’Or awards (eight) than any player in history. He also owns records for the most goals scored in a calendar year (91 in 2012), most goals scored for a single club (672 for Barcelona), and most goals in La Liga history (474).

With his appearance against Algeria, Messi also became the first player to play in six World Cups, a feat that was matched by his longtime rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, later in the tournament.

Messi’s international career began in 2005. In addition to winning the World Cup in 2022, he led Argentina to wins in the Copa América in 2021 and 2024. He also won a gold medal with his country at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

While Messi’s World Cup goals record is a testament to his longevity, multiple stars currently playing will be chasing his mark.

France’s Kylian Mbappe, the top goal scorer in the 2018 tournament, has 14 goals in only 15 career World Cup matches.

England’s Harry Kane has also scored 10 in only 12 World Cup appearances.

Both Mbappe and Kane have scored more goals per World Cup match than Messi.