The history of the World Cups has a new goal king. The Argentine Lionel Messi reached 18 goals in World Cups and left behind the German Miroslav Klose, who for years held the record with 16 goals.

The new mark came in the 2026 World Cup, when Messi scored against Austria to become the tournament’s all-time top scorer. The achievement is the result of a World Cup career that has spanned six editions and in which he has scored against 12 different teams.

His scoring journey began in Germany 2006 and had its brightest point in Qatar 2022, where he was a key player in Argentina winning the title. Now, with 18 goals, the Albiceleste captain adds another legendary chapter to a career full of records.

Lionel Messi opened his scoring account in the World Cup during the group stage of Germany 2006.

At just 19 years old, he came on as a substitute against Serbia and Montenegro and closed out Argentina’s 6-0 win after receiving an assist from Carlos Tévez.

Eight years later, the Argentine forward scored his best group stage up to that point with four goals.

The first came against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with one of his classic left-footed plays after leaving several rivals behind.

He then appeared against Iran with a shot from outside the area in stoppage time to give his team the victory.

Against Nigeria he scored twice, first taking advantage of a rebound inside the area and then with a masterful free kick to seal the Argentine victory 3-2.

In Russia 2018, Messi met Nigeria again. He received a long pass from Éver Banega, controlled the ball with mastery in the run and scored from the right to keep Argentina alive in the group stage.

The World Cup in Qatar was the most productive for Messi, who scored seven goals and led Argentina to the title.

His account began with a penalty against Saudi Arabia. He later appeared against Mexico with a low shot from outside the area that broke the tie in a decisive duel for the Argentines.

In the round of 16 he scored against Australia, finally scoring his first goal in a knockout round.

He later converted a penalty against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals and another against Croatia in the semifinals.

The final against France also bore his signature. First he opened the scoring from the eleven steps and later pushed in a rebound during overtime to complete a double in one of the most memorable games in the history of the tournament.

At 38 years old, Messi once again wrote a golden page in the 2026 World Cup.

Against Algeria he scored a historic hat-trick. The first was a powerful left footed shot from outside the area; the second came after taking advantage of a rebound inside the area; and the third allowed him to reach Klose’s 16 goals and equal the historical record.

However, the most anticipated moment came against Austria, a duel in which Messi finished extending his own record. First, after receiving a pass from Facundo Medina, the Argentine connected a first-class shot with his left foot to put Argentina ahead 1-0 on the scoreboard.

In the 94th minute, Lionel Messi was again present on the scoreboard by taking advantage of a pressure play inside the Austria area, where after a rebound he scored his second goal of the game and the 18th of his career in the World Cup, a score that extended his record and confirmed him as the all-time top scorer in the World Cups.