Lionel Messi has become the all-time top goalscorer in World Cup history after scoring for Argentina against Austria on Tuesday. The legendary winger's strike put Argentina 1-0 up just before half-time, marking his 17th goal across four World Cups and surpassing the previous record of 16 held by Germany's Miroslav Klose.
Record-Breaking Moment
Messi had drawn level with Klose by scoring a hat-trick against Algeria in the previous match. Early in the game against Austria, he missed a penalty, delaying his record-breaking moment. However, he made amends shortly before the break, finding the net to trigger jubilant celebrations on the pitch and in the stands.
Historic Achievement
The 17 goals span four tournaments: 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2026. Messi's achievement adds another line to his already dazzling resume, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in football history. The record was previously held by Klose since 2014.
