La Pulga's Summit
On June 22, 2026, Lionel Messi scored his 17th and 18th World Cup goals in Argentina's 2–0 win over Austria at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas — surpassing Miroslav Klose's 12-year-old record of 16 and becoming the all-time top scorer in World Cup history at age 38.
0Career WC Goals
Previous record:Miroslav Klose — 16
Record broken:June 22, 2026 vs Austria
Venue:AT&T Stadium, Arlington TX
Age at record:38 years old
Tournaments:6 (2006 · 2010 · 2014 · 2018 · 2022 · 2026)
All-Time World Cup Top Scorers
Messi's World Cup Career by Tournament
1
2006
Germany
QF
0
2010
S. Africa
QF
4
2014
Brazil
Runner-up 🥈
1
2018
Russia
R16
7
2022
Qatar
Champion 🏆
5
2026
USA
In progress ⭐
Total: 18 goals · 6 tournaments · 1986–2026
Tournament Timeline
The Record in Context
A record 20 years in the making
Messi first appeared at a World Cup in 2006 in Germany, scoring once as an 18-year-old. Few imagined that same teenager would still be playing — and dominating — a World Cup two decades later.
The 2022 catalyst
Qatar 2022, where Messi scored 7 goals and delivered Argentina's first World Cup title since 1986, brought his total to 13. Suddenly the all-time record looked reachable.
Klose's reign ends at 12 years
Miroslav Klose set the record with his 16th goal in the 2014 final. His mark stood for 12 years until Messi's brace against Austria on June 22, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.
Age is just a number
At 38, Messi is the oldest outfield player to score a World Cup brace in the modern era — still decisive and still record-breaking two decades after his debut.