Lionel Messi breaks all-time FIFA World Cup goals record with 17th goal

Lionel Messi further separated himself from the rest of soccer history on Monday as he set a record for the most goals of all time in the FIFA World Cup.

Messi was charging down the field behind Argentina’s attack. The Austrian defense seemed to be too focused on the ball and lost track of Messi as he filtered in behind them. Messi got the pass and fired the shot past the goalkeeper in the 38th minute and scored.

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Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his team’s first goal against Austria during the World Cup Group J match in Arlington, Texas, on June 22, 2026. (Tony Gutierrez/AP)

He has 17 World Cup goals in his career, passing Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the most all-time. He may have had the record sooner. Messi received a penalty kick attempt around the 8th minute of the match. However, the shot was wide to the right.

Messi’s goal against Austria put Argentina up 1-0.

The goal comes amid a tough week for Messi and his family. Jorge Messi was set to undergo medical treatment for an undisclosed illness last week. Messi’s family asked for “humanity” from the media.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi watches the ball during the World Cup Group J soccer match against Austria in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, on June 22, 2026. (Tony Gutierrez/AP Photo)

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“Jorge is going through a health situation,” the Messi family said in a statement. “He is currently under medical observation, recovering and progressing favorably within his current condition.”

Messi scored a hat trick against Algeria last week in his first group-stage match of this year’s World Cup. He was seen in tears after his first goal.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts after missing a penalty shot during the World Cup Group J match against Austria in Arlington, Texas, on June 22, 2026. (Julio Cortez/AP)

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“My tears after the first goal? I’ve had some tough days. It wasn’t related to soccer. And those feelings were because of that,” Messi said. “I thank my teammates, the coaching staff and the delegation for helping me.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.