Lionel Messi etched his name deeper into football history on Monday by becoming the highest-scoring player in men’s FIFA World Cup history after finding the net in Argentina’s clash against Austria.
The Argentine captain scored his 17th World Cup goal to move past former Germany striker Miroslav Klose and claim the outright men’s tournament scoring record.
The goal also saw Messi draw level with Brazilian legend Marta’s overall World Cup tally of 17 goals, matching the record held across both the men’s and women’s competitions.
Messi’s landmark moment came during Argentina’s second Group J match in Dallas. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner initiated a swift attacking move before finishing it himself, arriving unmarked in the box to convert Facundo Medina’s low cross with a composed first-time strike.
The historic goal handed Argentina the lead as the reigning South American giants pushed for a place in the knockout stages following their commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening match.
Already regarded as one of football’s greatest players, Messi’s latest achievement adds another milestone to a career filled with records, reinforcing his enduring influence on the world stage as Argentina continue their pursuit of World Cup glory.
