Lionel Messi has just rewritten the history of world football, becoming the all-time top scorer in World Cup finals after scoring twice against Austria and surpassing the legendary Miroslav Klose. The Argentine star’s achievement is not only surprising due to its statistical significance but also for its emotional and symbolic impact: Klose himself, who held the record until the beginning of the 2026 World Cup, did not hesitate to proclaim Messi as “the best football player of all time.”
The crowning moment occurred in the second match of Group J, with Argentina defeating Austria 2-0. Messi scored both goals of the victory, raising his total to 18 goals in finals, leaving behind the former German striker, who had stood alone at the top of the list with 16 goals since 2014. In Argentina’s first match of this World Cup, Messi had already matched Klose’s record by scoring three times against Algeria, foreshadowing the inevitable: the fall of a record that seemed untouchable. The feat took place at the International Stadium in Casablanca, in front of thousands of fans incredulous at yet another stellar performance from the Argentine.
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This moment marks a paradigm shift in world football. Messi not only consolidates his place among the legends of the sport but also fuels the eternal debate about who is, in fact, the greatest of all time. His consecutive performances in this World Cup — including a crucial brace and, ironically, yet another missed penalty, which also makes him the player with the most penalties squandered in the history of the competition — reinforce his aura of genius and unpredictability. Surpassing Klose carries added significance, as it was precisely the German forward who, for over a decade, symbolized efficiency and longevity at the highest level.
In exclusive statements to the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, Miroslav Klose took the opportunity to congratulate Lionel Messi: “Lionel Messi is, for me, the best football player of all time! Congratulations, champion!” said the former German international, showing respect and admiration for the Argentine. Klose, who had already anticipated the fall of his record, also stated in an interview five days earlier to the same newspaper: “It’s all good. The record would be broken sooner or later, and I’m happy that Messi did it. I’m a big fan of Messi, I always have been.” The former forward did not hold back in praising the new record holder, describing him as “a genius.”
Klose’s reaction demonstrates a rare sporting spirit at the highest level, acknowledging the merit of those who surpass him and contributing to the elevation of the debate surrounding the great figures of football. Messi, for his part, continues to defy the logic of statistics and redefine the impossible, even in the later stages of his career. The Argentine, now the sole leader in the list of top scorers in World Cups, sees his legacy strengthened and firmly enters the pantheon of immortals in the sport.
The football world is now waiting to see how far Messi can raise the bar in this World Cup. Argentina, galvanised by their captain, enters as one of the main favorites to win the trophy, and each match promises more historic pages to be written by the number 10 shirt. For Klose, there is the pride of having set a milestone and the recognition that his legend has been surpassed by an unprecedented phenomenon. For the fans, there is the assurance that they continue to witness history being made, goal after goal, match after match.
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