Lionel Messi Breaks the Record and Becomes the All-Time Top Scorer in World Cups With 18 Goals

Every now and then, from his debut in 2006 to the hat-trick against Algeria in 2026, he built a unique trajectory that establishes him as an eternal legend

Lionel Messi reached 18 goals in World Cups and surpassed Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer. He did it with a brace against Austria in Dallas, in just Argentina's second match of the 2026 World Cup. Each goal in his World Cup journey was a key piece in a career that defies time.

Messi's World Cup goals

Goal 1 – Serbia and Montenegro (Germany 2006)
At just 18 years old, Messi came off the bench and capped off the 6-0 thrashing with a left-footed cross. It was his World Cup debut and made him the youngest Argentine to score in a World Cup.

Goal 2 – Bosnia-Herzegovina (Brazil 2014)
After a goalless World Cup in South Africa, he celebrated again in the opening match of Brazil 2014. An individual play, combining with Higuaín and putting it in the corner of the goal, opened a tournament where he would be decisive.

Goal 3 – Iran (Brazil 2014)
When a draw seemed inevitable, in the 91st minute he fired a left-footed shot from outside the box that secured their place in the round of 16. It was a goal of pure class.

Goals 4 and 5 – Nigeria (Brazil 2014)
First, he took advantage of a rebound to open the scoring and then, before halftime, he executed a perfect free kick. Two goals that confirmed his leadership in the group stage.

Goal 6 – Nigeria (Russia 2018)
In a life-or-death match, he controlled a long pass from Banega with surgical precision and scored with a cross. That goal kept Argentina's hopes alive.

Goal 7 – Saudi Arabia (Qatar 2022)
From a penalty kick, he opened the scoring in the opening match. Although the result was unfavorable, he became the first Argentine to score in four different World Cups

Goal 8 – Mexico (Qatar 2022)
With Argentina on the verge of elimination, he fired a low shot from outside the box that beat Ochoa. It was a goal that changed the course of the tournament.

Goal 9 – Australia (Qatar 2022)
In his 1,000th game as a professional, he opened the scoring in the round of 16 with a precise finish. His first goal in a World Cup knockout stage.

Goal 10 – Netherlands (Qatar 2022)
He scored from a penalty kick in a tense match. Although the match was decided on penalties, his goal was vital to maintaining the partial lead.

Goal 11 – Croatia (Qatar 2022)
He calmly took a penalty kick in the semifinals and led a memorable performance that took Argentina to the final.

Goals 12 and 13 – France (Qatar 2022)
In the final, he opened the scoring with a penalty kick and then, in extra time, he pushed a ball that seemed to give him the Cup. Two goals that went down in history.

Goals 14, 15 and 16 – Algeria (United States-Mexico-Canada 2026)
In Kansas, he shone again: first a left-footed shot from the edge of the box, then an opportunistic goal after a rebound, and finally a precise finish to seal his first World Cup hat-trick. With those three goals, he caught up with Klose at the top.

Goals 17 and 18 – Austria (United States-Mexico-Canada 2026)

He missed a penalty at first, but to everyone's surprise, the best was yet to come. In a play set up with an assist from Thiago Almada, he managed to score the first goal. Then, in the final minutes of added time, he scored the second after Julián failed to finish in front of the Austrian goalkeeper.