Lionel Messi has etched his name deeper into football history, surpassing Miroslav Klose's long-standing record to become the all-time leading scorer at FIFA World Cup tournaments. Messi reached the landmark of 17 World Cup goals during Argentina's group stage match against Austria at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Klose's record of 16 goals, set across four World Cup campaigns for Germany, had stood for years as the benchmark for individual World Cup scoring. Messi, now the sole holder of the record, adds this achievement to a career already laden with historic milestones.

Argentina's talisman has been a constant presence on the World Cup stage, delivering moments that have defined entire tournaments. His 17th goal continues a legacy that stretches back through multiple editions of the competition, with each strike at this level adding to a story that the world of football may never see equalled.

The goal arrived in the group stage, underscoring Messi's continued influence at the highest level even at this stage of his career. Argentina, relying on their captain's brilliance, secured a crucial result in the match against Austria as the FIFA World Cup 2026 group phase took shape.

Fans around the world — and particularly across Africa, where Messi has a devoted following — celebrated the moment as confirmation of what many already believed: that the Argentine is the greatest to have ever played the game at a World Cup.