In the realm of sports, raw data often transcends mere numbers to become something poetic. Lionel Messi achieved this transformation last Monday in Arlington, Texas, captivating the entire world.
With a beautifully curled left-foot strike in the 38th minute against Austria, followed by a gritty rebound goal in stoppage time, Messi has officially become the highest goal scorer in the history of the FIFA World Cup. This achievement is not limited to men; it stands as the overall record for everyone. His 17th and 18th tournament goals pushed him past Germany legend Miroslav Klose and Brazil’s women’s icon Marta, placing him in territory no player has ever occupied before.
He is 38 years old. And he is doing this right now.
From hat-trick to history
The record-breaking journey began before most fans had even settled into their World Cup viewing habits. During Argentina’s opening match against Algeria on June 16, Messi delivered a hat-trick—his first ever at a World Cup. This performance tied him with Miroslav 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, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo, who was 33 when he scored against Spain in 2018.
Six days later against Austria, he repeated the feat. Entering the match with 16 goals, Messi missed a penalty in the ninth minute, which briefly delayed his claim to the outright record. However, that miss only heightened the drama of what followed. He curled home a shot from a cutback in the 38th minute and added a second goal late in the match, securing a 2-0 win and raising his all-time total to 18.
Key highlights of this historic run include:
- Five goals scored in just two games
- Eighteen total goals across six World Cups
- Oldest hat-trick scorer in tournament history
- Surpassed both Klose and Marta’s records
The record is now his.
The Meaning Behind the Numbers
To grasp the magnitude of Messi’s achievement, consider the career span required to reach this point. Messi scored his first World Cup goal on June 16, 2006, at age 18, 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 editions of the tournament, following Miroslav Klose (2002, 2006, 2010). Remarkably, he has joined Roger Milla as the only men to score four or more goals in a single World Cup while aged 38 or older.
His teammates are left without words. 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.”
Race Against Mbappé
This record may not remain safe for long. Kylian Mbappé currently holds 16 career World Cup goals, sitting second all-time behind Messi’s 18. The French captain is still active in this tournament, and with France emerging as genuine contenders, the gap could narrow quickly.
However, for now, Messi leads the pack. The question remains how many more goals he can add before his final World Cup concludes.
Why It Matters for Fans
Beyond the spectacle, there is a practical reason for soccer fans to pay close attention to Messi’s form: Argentina are potential opponents deep in this tournament. The defending world champions have won all their group matches, conceded zero goals, and look like the team to beat.
If fans navigate their way through the rounds and beyond, Messi and Argentina could be waiting. Understanding what they face—a 38-year-old playing the soccer of his life, surrounded by world-class talent—is not just interesting; it 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 is any guide, history may be made again.