Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi has etched his name into the record books, breaking the all-time World Cup scoring record during Monday's FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match against Austria in Arlington, Texas.
Messi achieved the historic milestone in the first half, netting his 17th career World Cup goal to surpass Brazilian superstar Marta, who had scored 17 goals at the Women's World Cup. The Argentine captain was not finished, however. In stoppage time near the end of the match, Messi added a second goal to seal a 2-0 victory for his nation.
The record-breaking performance continues a remarkable tournament for the team captain. Messi opened the World Cup with an extraordinary hat trick—three goals in a single match—during Argentina's first game against Algeria. Such a feat remains rare in professional soccer, underscoring the exceptional nature of his current form.
Messi has now scored all five goals for Argentina during this World Cup, carrying the offensive burden for his national team. With Monday's victory, Argentina has secured advancement to the knockout round of the tournament, positioning themselves for a potential championship run.
The significance of breaking Marta's record cannot be overstated. Marta, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in women's soccer history, held the record across both men's and women's World Cup competitions. Messi's achievement places him alone atop the all-time scoring list for World Cup goals by a man, while his 18 total goals now represent the most by any player in World Cup history.
The match in Arlington, Texas, showcased Messi's enduring excellence on soccer's biggest stage. As Argentina progresses through the tournament, the question now becomes how many more goals the captain will add to his historic tally before the competition concludes.
