Messi broke Klose’s record with a brace against Austria to become the World Cup’s all-time top scorer
Lionel Messi added another notable achievement to his remarkable career, becoming the top goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history after netting twice in Argentina victory over Austria.
The Argentina captain scored a signature left-footed try in his second game of the group stage, surpassing the previous record and further cementing his place among football’s all-time greats.
He doubled his tally in the game just before the final whistle to add some icing on the cake.
At 38, Messi continues to play a decisive role as Argentina chase back-to-back World Cup titles, producing a level of consistency that younger stars still struggle to achieve.
The Argentine captain’s historic streak continues
The record-breaking goal came just days after Messi opened the tournament with a hat-trick, putting him among the leading contenders for the Golden Boot.
His latest goal means he has now scored in six consecutive World Cup games, a feat previously achieved only by French legend Just Fontaine and Brazilian icon Jairzinho.
No player has ever scored in seven consecutive World Cup appearances, giving Messi another record to aim for when Argentina face Jordan in their final group game.
The Inter Miami forward also continued to influence games outside of the goals. According to Opta statistics, Messi is now tied for the most assists in World Cup history since the record was set in 1966 and needs just one more to move to the top.
Experience, intelligence the key to longevity
While the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior emerge as the leading figures of the next generation, Messi continues to show why he remains football’s benchmark.
Playing in MLS also helped him deal with the physical demands of his career, allowing him to arrive at the majors fresh and ready to perform.
With Argentina already among the favorites to win the trophy, Messi’s blistering form suggests the world champions remain a formidable force.
And with more games still to come, the new World Cup’s all-time top scorer may not be done rewriting history just yet.
