Argentina captain Lionel Messi solidified his status as the highest-scoring player in World Cup history by netting his 17th career goal during a match against Austria on Monday. The milestone occurred at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, during the 2026 World Cup Group J fixture. Messi had previously tied Miroslav Klose’s longstanding record of 16 goals after scoring a hat-trick against Algeria the week prior.
Despite failing to convert a penalty earlier in the match, the 38-year-old forward scored in the 38th minute to cement his place in tournament history. Now competing in his sixth World Cup, Messi boasts a national team record of 121 goals in 201 appearances. His performance remains central to Argentina’s pursuit of a second consecutive world title, a feat not accomplished since Brazil in 1962.
The veteran star, who plays for Inter Miami, overcame a recent hamstring concern and personal family health challenges to lead his squad. Teammate Alexis Mac Allister emphasized that Messi’s leadership remains vital to the team’s prospects. While Messi had initially hesitated to commit to this tournament, his return was widely anticipated after his instrumental role in Argentina’s success four years ago. With this win over Austria, Argentina moves closer to advancing from Group J.
