Lionel Messi Becomes FIFA World Cup’s All-Time Leading Goalscorer as Argentina Reach Knockout Stage
Lionel Messi , 38, broke Miroslav Klose ’s longstanding men’s record when he opened the scoring in Argentina ’s Group J victory over Austria.
Messi, who has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches, then broke Marta’s overall record when he added a second late on, his 18th World Cup goal.
Argentina’s 2-0 victory means the reigning world champions have already secured their place in the knockout round.
He now holds the outright scoring record, as well as extending the record for most FIFA World Cup appearances in his 28th match.
An Olympic champion at Beijing 2008, an eight-time Ballon D’Or winner as well as FIFA World Cup victor in 2022, Messi is now the greatest men’s World Cup goalscorer of all time.
Although the Argentina captain holds the record for now, it could yet be broken at this tournament by Kylian Mbappé .
Whatever happens in North America, Messi is the first male player to reach 18 goals at the global football tournament. He also surpassed Marta Vieira Da Silva's mark (17) to become the greatest World Cup goalscorer, male or female.
"I'm not spending time thinking about my age. I'm simply focused on being well," Messi told reporters after the game. "I feel physically good, and maybe that's why I'm playing better."
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner also said he was uncertain whether he would feature in Argentina's final Group J clash against Jordan after the defending champions sealed qualification for the Round of 32.
"The manager (Lionel Scaloni) will decide whether I play or not, or how much I play," Messi said. "I feel good and happy to be part of this group, which always competes no matter who the opponent is and never relaxes."
Should they claim top spot, they would head for Miami, home of Lionel Messi's current club, for a last-32 game on Friday, July 3.
They would face the runner-up from Group H, which could yet be any one of current leaders Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde or Saudi Arabia.
Messi, who has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches, then broke Marta’s overall record when he added a second late on, his 18th World Cup goal.
Argentina’s 2-0 victory means the reigning world champions have already secured their place in the knockout round.
Leading Goal Scorer
The Argentine star is now the all-time leading goalscorer at the FIFA men’s World Cup, breaking Miroslav Klose’s 12-year record by scoring his 17th goal on Monday (22 June).He now holds the outright scoring record, as well as extending the record for most FIFA World Cup appearances in his 28th match.
An Olympic champion at Beijing 2008, an eight-time Ballon D’Or winner as well as FIFA World Cup victor in 2022, Messi is now the greatest men’s World Cup goalscorer of all time.
Although the Argentina captain holds the record for now, it could yet be broken at this tournament by Kylian Mbappé .
Whatever happens in North America, Messi is the first male player to reach 18 goals at the global football tournament. He also surpassed Marta Vieira Da Silva's mark (17) to become the greatest World Cup goalscorer, male or female.
Messi not affected by age
With his 39th birthday approaching on June 24, Messi made it clear that thoughts about age are not occupying his mind.You may also like
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"I'm not spending time thinking about my age. I'm simply focused on being well," Messi told reporters after the game. "I feel physically good, and maybe that's why I'm playing better."
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner also said he was uncertain whether he would feature in Argentina's final Group J clash against Jordan after the defending champions sealed qualification for the Round of 32.
"The manager (Lionel Scaloni) will decide whether I play or not, or how much I play," Messi said. "I feel good and happy to be part of this group, which always competes no matter who the opponent is and never relaxes."
Who will Argentina face in the second round?
With two wins from two games, Argentina are now highly likely to win Group J, although that is not yet confirmed mathematically.Should they claim top spot, they would head for Miami, home of Lionel Messi's current club, for a last-32 game on Friday, July 3.
They would face the runner-up from Group H, which could yet be any one of current leaders Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde or Saudi Arabia.
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