Football icon Lionel Messi has once again etched his name into the history books, becoming the all-time leading goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history during the ongoing 2026 tournament.
The Argentine captain first drew level with German great Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals after producing a sensational hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening match. It was Messi’s first-ever World Cup hat-trick and a performance that reminded the football world why he is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
The remarkable achievement came exactly 20 years after Messi made his World Cup debut in Germany in 2006. Competing in his sixth World Cup tournament, the 38-year-old superstar demonstrated that age has done little to diminish his brilliance on football’s biggest stage.
Messi’s World Cup journey has been one of perseverance, heartbreak and ultimate triumph. He scored his first World Cup goal in 2006 before enduring a goalless campaign in 2010. In 2014, he inspired Argentina to the final and won the tournament’s Golden Ball award despite finishing as runners-up.
After disappointment in 2018, Messi finally achieved his lifelong dream in 2022 when he led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, scoring seven goals and once again claiming the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
His exploits in 2026 have added another chapter to an already legendary career. By surpassing Klose’s long-standing record, Messi has moved ahead of some of football’s greatest names, including Brazil’s Ronaldo Nazário, Germany’s Gerd Müller and France star Kylian Mbappé.
Messi’s longevity is equally remarkable. Over two decades, he has remained a decisive figure for Argentina, becoming the country’s all-time leading scorer and guiding the national team to numerous international titles.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup still underway, Messi has an opportunity to extend his record even further.
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