In the rare world of elite sports, statistics transform from mere numbers into poetic narratives. Lionel Messi reached this transformative moment last Monday in Arlington, Texas, captivating the entire world.
With a perfectly curved left-foot shot in the 38th minute against Austria, followed by a gritty rebound goal deep in stopage time, Messi became the highest goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history. This record surpasses both the men’s and women’s categories. His 17th and 18th tournament goals pushed him past Germany legend Miroslav Klose and Brazil’s iconic Marta, entering territory no player has ever occupied before.
Messi is 38 years old, and he is achieving this greatness right now.
The Path from Hat-Trick to History
The record-breaking journey began before many fans settled into their World Cup viewing routines. During Argentina’s tournament opener against Algeria on June 16, Messi delivered a hat-trick—his first at a World Cup—tying Klose’s longstanding record of 16 goals. At 38 years and 357 days, Messi became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in World Cup history.
Six days later against Austria, he achieved it again. Entering the match with 16 goals, Messi missed a penalty in the ninth minute, briefly delaying his outright record. However, the miss added drama to his subsequent performance. He curled home from a cutback in the 38th minute and added a late second goal in the 2-0 victory, bringing his all-time total to 18.
Over two games, he scored five goals. Across six World Cups, his total is 18. The record belongs to him.
Understanding the Magnitude of the Numbers
To grasp the scale of Messi’s achievement, consider the two-decade career leading to this point. Messi scored his first World Cup goal on June 16, 2006, at 18 years old, against Serbia and Montenegro. Twenty years later, he continues to break records as the first player to feature in six different editions of a men’s World Cup.
He is also the second man in history to score four or more goals in three different tournament editions, following Miroslav Klose. Remarkably, Messi has joined Roger Milla as the only men to score four or more goals in a single World Cup at age 38 or older.
The following table compares the top World Cup goal scorers:
| Player | Total Goals | Gender Category | Years Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | 18 | Men & Women Combined | 2006–2026 |
| Marta | 17 | Women Only | 2003–2023 |
| Miroslav Klose | 16 | Men Only | 2002–2014 |
| Kylian Mbappé | 16 | Men Only | 2018–2026 |
His teammates have exhausted their vocabulary. Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister stated after the Austria win, “If anyone thought this group was better off without Leo, today it became clear that Leo is the most important of them all.”
The Mbappé Chase
This record may not remain safe for long. Kylian Mbappé currently holds 16 career World Cup goals, sitting second all-time behind only Messi’s 18. The French captain remains active in this tournament, and with France appearing as genuine contenders, the gap could narrow quickly.
For now, Messi leads, raising the question of how many more goals he can add before his final World Cup concludes.
Why Canadian Fans Should Pay Attention
Beyond the spectacle, Canadian soccer fans have a practical reason to monitor Messi’s form: Argentina are potential opponents deep in this tournament. The defending world champions have won all group matches, conceded zero goals, and look like the team to beat.
If Canada navigates the round of 32 and beyond, Messi and Argentina could be waiting. Understanding the challenge—facing a 38-year-old playing the soccer of his life alongside a squad of world-class talent—is essential.
Watch tonight’s Argentina vs. Jordan match at 10 p.m. ET on TSN. Messi will almost certainly be on the pitch. If recent form suggests anything, history may be made again.