Lionel Messi made World Cup history on Monday night when he broke Miroslav Klose’s all-time goal-scoring record. The Argentinian superstar delivered another masterpiece for La Albiceleste after his two goals against Austria at Dallas Stadium.
Record-Breaking Performance
The forward had matched the 16-goal record set by the Germany international with his hat-trick in the opening game against Algeria. He then followed this up with two goals against Austria, breaking the record and taking him two clear at the top of the standings with 18 goals.
When asked about his thoughts and feelings on breaking the record and if it was his favorite World Cup goal, or how many more goals he might score in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Messi delivered an incredibly humbling response.
Messi’s Humble Reaction
“I am tired now, I’m not thinking about that,” Messi told Fox Sports in Spanish. “I just want to enjoy the win with my teammates. We’ve already given people many moments of joy, but we’ll try to give them even more.”
Klose, now managing Nuremberg, praised Messi for breaking his record and declared him ‘best of all time.’
Klose’s Praise
“For me, Lionel Messi is the best of all time,” Klose told German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. “Congratulations, champ!”
Messi’s record-breaking feat adds to his legendary status in football history. At 38 years old, he continues to perform at the highest level, leading Argentina in the 2026 World Cup. His two goals against Austria not only secured a victory but also cemented his legacy as the tournament’s all-time leading scorer. The previous record of 16 goals had stood since Klose’s final World Cup in 2014. Messi’s achievement is a testament to his consistency and longevity in the sport.
