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Lionel Messi Sets Historic World Cup Scoring Record with 17th Goal

Published

2 months ago

June 22, 2026

Lionel Messi World Cup scoring record reaches new heights as the Argentina captain scores his 17th World Cup goal to surpass Miroslav Klose.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi etched his name even deeper into football history on Monday after becoming the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history, scoring his 17th tournament goal during Argentina’s match against Austria at the 2026 World Cup.

Also read: Messi on Brink of Two Historic Records Against Austria at World Cup 2026

The historic strike saw Messi move ahead of former Germany forward Miroslav Klose, whose tally of 16 goals had stood as the benchmark for World Cup goalscoring excellence.

The record-breaking moment came after an eventful start to the match for the Argentina captain.

Messi initially missed an opportunity to surpass Klose when he sent a penalty wide of the post, leaving fans momentarily stunned.

However, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner responded in characteristic fashion.

Later in the game, Messi found space on the edge of the box and calmly slotted the ball home to hand Argentina the lead and secure a landmark achievement in World Cup history.

The goal not only established the Lionel Messi World Cup Scoring Record but also added another chapter to an already remarkable international career that has spanned more than two decades.

The latest milestone comes at a tournament where Messi has continued to rewrite football’s record books.

Earlier in the competition, the Inter Miami star became the first player in history to appear in six FIFA World Cups, extending a record built on extraordinary longevity and consistency at the highest level.

Messi’s journey at the World Cup began in 2006 as a teenage prodigy. Since then, he has featured in every edition of the tournament, culminating in Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 World Cup and now another historic feat in 2026.

The previous record-holder, Klose, accumulated 16 goals across four World Cup tournaments between 2002 and 2014. The German striker overtook Brazilian legend Ronaldo during the 2014 World Cup and held the record for more than a decade.

Messi’s latest achievement places him at the summit of an elite list that includes some of football’s greatest names.

The top scorers in World Cup history are now:

Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 17 goals

Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 16 goals

Ronaldo (Brazil) – 15 goals

Gerd Müller (Germany) – 14 goals

Kylian Mbappé (France) – 14 goals

The achievement further strengthens Messi’s case as one of the greatest players in football history.

Having already won domestic titles, continental honours, multiple individual awards and the World Cup itself, the Argentine captain continues to set records that may stand for generations.

With Argentina still pursuing another deep run at the 2026 tournament, Messi now has the opportunity to extend his tally and raise the World Cup scoring record even higher.

Also read: Lamine Yamal Surpasses Messi in Youngest World Cup Scorers List

For a player whose career has been defined by extraordinary moments, his 17th World Cup goal may rank among the most significant.

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Cubarsí Leads 2026 Golden Boy Race Ahead of Yamal

Published

1 hour ago

August 18, 2026

Mariam Balogun

Pau Cubarsí tops the current Golden Boy Award 2026 standings ahead of teammate Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid’s Yan Diomande

Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí is currently leading the 2026 Golden Boy Award race, according to the latest standings released by Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport, with teammate Lamine Yamal in second and Yan Diomande third.

Also read: Trabzonspor Set €30m Price for Onuachu

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported on Tuesday that Cubarsí is currently ahead of the field as the voting process continues, with the final vote still expected later this year.

Yamal’s second-place position comes with an important caveat. The Barcelona forward cannot win the award again this year because he previously claimed the Golden Boy prize in 2024.

The 2026 race is still open, with Tuttosport continuing to update its rankings before the final voting stage.

The award is presented to the outstanding young player in European top-flight football and is decided by an international jury of sports journalists.

Cubarsí’s position reflects his growing reputation at Barcelona. The defender has become an increasingly important figure for the Spanish club and has already collected major honours during his young career.

Diomande’s presence in third also underlines the strength of this year’s field.

The Real Madrid youngster is among the 100 players initially shortlisted for the 2026 award, with the list due to be reduced to 20 finalists before the winner is selected.

The Golden Boy has a distinguished history, with previous winners including Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Yamal.

Also read: Okocha Picks Messi Over Ronaldo as Football’s Better Player

For Cubarsí, however, the immediate task is to maintain his advantage. With the decisive voting still to come, the Barcelona defender has emerged as the early favourite, but the final outcome remains open.