Lionel Messi is now the best goalscorer within the historical past of the FIFA World Cup as of Monday, 22 June 2026. The Argentine captain delivered yet one more breathtaking efficiency, scoring a brace towards Austria to succeed in 18 World Cup targets, surpassing Miroslav Klose’s lengthy‑standing document of 16.
Messi had scored 5 targets in first two video games at this World Cup, as soon as once more dominating the worldwide stage. His brace pushed Argentina into the Spherical of 32, however as all the time, it was Messi who stole the highlight with one other masterclass show.
Softfootball can affirm that Messi has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches. This exceptional streak started within the knockout rounds of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the place he scored towards:
- Australia
- Netherlands
- Croatia
- France
4 years later, the run continues:
- Hat‑trick vs Algeria within the 2026 opener
- Brace vs Austria to interrupt the all‑time document
At 38 years outdated, Messi is performing with the power, sharpness, and brilliance of a footballer half his age. His mentality stays unmatched, and what he does with the ball continues to really feel
