Lionel Messi has just rewritten the history of world football by becoming the all-time top scorer in World Cup finals, after scoring twice in Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria in the 2026 World Cup. With this achievement, Messi raises his record to an impressive 18 goals in finals, surpassing legendary names such as Miroslav Klose, Ronaldo Nazário, and Gerd Müller.
The match took place last night, with Argentina securing qualification for the quarter-finals, while Messi, at 38 years old, not only proved decisive but also showcased a freshness and ambition worthy of a debuting young player. The two goals scored against Austria add to the hat-trick he had already achieved against Algeria in this same tournament edition, totaling five goals in just two games. Messi, holder of eight Ballon d’Or awards, now surpasses the previous record of 16 goals held by Miroslav Klose and stands alone as the greatest scorer in World Cup history.
This milestone is not just an individual triumph; it has profound repercussions on the landscape of international football. Messi, often criticized for not having won titles with the Argentine national team in the early stages of his career, thus cements his position as the greatest of all time to grace the world’s pitches. Winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he had already been named the best player, was merely a prelude to this absolute dominance. For Argentina, Messi’s presence inspires renewed confidence and positions the team as the main favorite to lift the trophy once again.
The record now broken gains even more significance when looking at the list of legends surpassed. Gerd Müller, with 14 goals in just 13 matches during the 1970 and 1974 World Cups, was for years an unattainable myth. Müller won the Ballon d’Or in 1970 and was decisive in the 1974 World Cup final, where he scored the winning goal for West Germany against the Netherlands. Ronaldo Nazário, a prominent figure in Brazilian football, scored 15 goals in finals, having been the protagonist of one of the most dramatic comebacks after a serious injury, winning the 2002 World Cup with eight goals, including two in the final.
Among contemporaries, Kylian Mbappé emerges as Messi’s closest rival, with 16 goals in 16 matches, after scoring twice against Iraq and Senegal in this World Cup. The Frenchman became a world champion in 2018 as a teenager, repeated Pelé’s feat by scoring in a final, and was the top scorer in 2022, with a hat-trick in the final lost to Argentina. Miroslav Klose, on the other hand, made history by surpassing Ronaldo and Müller, with 16 goals and a world title in 2014, ending his international career as the all-time top scorer for Germany.
In statements after the historic match, Lionel Messi did not hide his emotion: “I have always dreamed of these moments, but I never thought it would be possible to get this far. I feel proud to represent Argentina and to bring joy to our people,” said the Albiceleste captain, visibly moved in front of journalists just minutes after the final whistle. Messi also emphasized the spirit of teamwork and the importance of his teammates: “These records are only possible because I have a fantastic team by my side. The credit goes to everyone.”
The impact of this achievement will be felt not only in Argentina but throughout the world of football. Messi has definitively entered a realm where comparison is nearly impossible, reinforcing the debate about who is, after all, the greatest player of all time. With Argentina already in the quarter-finals and Messi leading the list of top scorers in this World Cup, the dream of defending the title is more alive than ever. Opponents know that facing Messi is like facing history itself — and, at this moment, no one seems capable of stopping the genius from Rosario.
Even more demanding challenges lie ahead for the Pampas national team, but confidence is at an all-time high. The eyes of the world will be glued to Argentina’s next match, where it is expected that Messi will continue to raise the bar and redefine the limits of what is possible in world football. If there were any doubts, Lionel Messi has just dispelled them: the King of the World Cups wears blue and white.
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