Lionel Messi Becomes All-Time World Cup Top Scorer - 18 Goals Record | Langit Eastern

23 June 2026 • • min read

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SUMMARY: Lionel Messi officially became the all-time top scorer in World Cup history after scoring twice in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Austria at Dallas Stadium. His 18-goal collection surpasses Miroslav Klose's record of 16 goals that stood since 2014. Messi now leads the 2026 World Cup scoring chart with 3 goals.

Soccer player in white uniform celebrates on a green field

Lionel Messi has added another historic chapter to his already record-laden career. In Argentina's second Group J match of the 2026 World Cup against Austria at Dallas Stadium, Texas, on Tuesday early morning WIB, the Argentine captain scored a brace that propelled him to the top of the all-time World Cup scoring list.

After missing a penalty in the 9th minute, Messi showed remarkable resilience. He opened the scoring in the 39th minute through a swift counter-attack that he finished with his lethal left foot. His second goal came in second-half injury time, securing Argentina's place in the Round of 32 with a convincing 3-0 victory.

With these two goals, Messi now has 18 goals from 28 matches across 6 World Cup editions (2006-2026). He surpassed Miroslav Klose's record of 16 goals accumulated over 4 tournaments. Notably, Messi still has opportunities to add to his tally as Argentina has already secured their knockout stage berth.

Data analysis reveals Messi's impressive goals-per-game ratio of 0.64 in World Cups, higher than Klose (0.44) and Ronaldo Nazario (0.55). In terms of distribution, Messi has scored 8 goals in group stages and 10 in knockout phases, demonstrating his consistency in high-pressure moments.

This achievement also makes Messi the only player in history to be the all-time World Cup top scorer while also holding the record for most Ballon d'Or awards (8). This combination of individual and collective achievements is unmatched by any player in the modern era.

The updated all-time World Cup top scorers list: Lionel Messi (Argentina) 18 goals, Miroslav Klose (Germany) 16 goals, Ronaldo Nazario (Brazil) 15 goals, Kylian Mbappe (France) 14 goals, Gerd Mueller (Germany) 14 goals, Just Fontaine (France) 13 goals, Pele (Brazil) 12 goals, Sandor Kocsis (Hungary) 11 goals.

For Argentina, Messi's form is a valuable asset heading into the Round of 32. Coach Lionel Scaloni is likely to rotate players in the final group match to maintain the fitness of the 39-year-old Messi. Despite his age, his goal-scoring instinct remains sharp and he continues to be the primary threat to opposing defenses.