Last updated: Jun 25, 2026
Lionel Messi is rewriting the World Cup record books in real time.
His brace against Austria on 22 June 2026 took him to 18 World Cup goals, the outright all-time record in men’s World Cup history. That surpassed Miroslav Klose’s previous record of 16, according to ESPN.
Messi’s World Cup career by the numbers
Messi is the most-capped and most decorated outfield player in World Cup history. Here is his career record across six tournaments, updated through Matchday 2 of the 2026 tournament as of 25 June 2026.
These figures are drawn from Olympics.com and ESPN’s 2026 tournament data.
- World Cups played: 6 — 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026
- Matches: 28, more than any player in history
- Goals: 18, the outright all-time men’s World Cup record
- Assists: 8
- Goal contributions: 26 (18 goals, 8 assists), the most in World Cup history
- Golden Balls: 2 (2014 and 2022), the only player to win it twice
How many World Cup goals has Messi scored?
Lionel Messi has scored 18 World Cup goals as of 25 June 2026, the most by any male player in the tournament’s history. His goals are spread across five of his six World Cups.
He did not score at the 2010 tournament in South Africa, the only edition where he failed to find the net. Here is Messi’s World Cup goal tally by tournament.
Tournament
Goals
Argentina’s finish
2006 (Germany)
1
Quarter-finals
2010 (South Africa)
0
Quarter-finals
2014 (Brazil)
4
Runners-up
2018 (Russia)
1
Round of 16
2022 (Qatar)
7
Champions
2026 (so far)
5
Group stage (ongoing)
Total
18
All-time men’s World Cup record
Messi’s World Cup records
Messi sits at the top of every major World Cup scoring list. The two goals against Austria added several new entries, according to ESPN.
- Most goals: 18, the outright all-time men’s World Cup scoring record, surpassing Miroslav Klose’s 16
- Most appearances: 28 matches, ahead of Germany’s Lothar Matthäus
- Most goal contributions: 26 (18 goals, 8 assists), the most in World Cup history, surpassing Pelé
- Most minutes played: the all-time record, having earlier surpassed Paolo Maldini
- First to play six World Cups: no male player had reached six editions before him
- Oldest to score a hat-trick: at 38 years and 357 days, against Algeria
- Two Golden Balls: the only player to be named best player of the tournament twice
- Scored in six consecutive World Cup games: only the third man to do so, after Just Fontaine (1958) and Jairzinho (1970), per Sky Sports
His Algeria treble was also Messi’s first-ever World Cup hat-trick. It came 20 years to the day after his World Cup debut as a substitute at Germany 2006.
Messi has now scored at five different World Cups, missing out only in 2010. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo became the first man to score at six different editions when he found the net against Uzbekistan on 23 June 2026, per ESPN.
The 2022 World Cup: Messi’s crowning moment
The 2022 final in Qatar is where Messi cemented his legacy. He scored twice as Argentina beat France and won on penalties.
It was Argentina’s first World Cup title in 36 years. Messi finished the tournament with seven goals and three assists.
He won the Golden Ball as the best player for a second time, having first claimed it in the lost 2014 final. At Qatar 2022 he also became the first male player to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final of a single tournament, according to Olympics.com.
Messi at the 2026 World Cup: where things stand
Argentina have won both of their Group J matches and have already qualified for the knockouts with a game to spare. Messi has been the tournament’s standout individual performer, with five goals in two games.
He scored a hat-trick against Algeria on 16 June and a brace against Austria on 22 June, per Sky Sports. He also missed a first-half penalty against Austria before completing his record-breaking double.
Argentina’s Group J results so far:
- Argentina 3-0 Algeria: 16 June, Kansas City — Messi hat-trick (17′, 60′, 76′)
- Argentina 2-0 Austria: 22 June, Dallas — Messi brace (38′, 90+5′), his record-breaking 17th and 18th goals
Argentina top Group J with six points, having scored five goals and conceded none, according to the official FIFA standings.
One group match remains:
- Jordan vs Argentina: Saturday 27 June in the Dallas area (AT&T Stadium, Arlington)
For full kick-off times converted to Gulf and South Asian time zones, see our Argentina 2026 World Cup schedule guide.
How to catch Argentina’s remaining matches
Argentina’s remaining group game is at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, part of the Dallas–Fort Worth area. It is one of the 11 US host cities for 2026.
The Algeria opener was at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The Austria and Jordan matches are both at AT&T Stadium near Dallas–Fort Worth.
From the Gulf, the simplest routings to Texas are via the major hubs:
If you plan to attend, book early, because host cities fill up fast on match days. Compare flights to Dallas and hotels in Dallas before prices climb.
If Argentina win the group, their round-of-32 match is on 3 July in Miami. You can also check hotels in Kansas City and track changes on the Wego flight tracker.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many World Cup goals does Messi have?
Messi has 18 World Cup goals as of 25 June 2026. That makes him the outright all-time leading scorer in men’s World Cup history, surpassing Miroslav Klose’s previous record of 16, after his brace against Austria on 22 June 2026.
How many goals did Messi score at each World Cup?
One in 2006, none in 2010, four in 2014, one in 2018, seven in 2022 and five so far in 2026. That is 18 in total across six tournaments.
How many World Cups has Messi played in?
Six — 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026. He is the first male player to appear at six different World Cups.
Has Messi won the World Cup?
Yes. He captained Argentina to the 2022 title in Qatar, scoring twice in the final against France.
When is Argentina’s next match?
Argentina face Jordan on 27 June at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (Dallas area). Argentina have already qualified for the knockout stage. See our Argentina schedule guide for kick-off times in your time zone.
Sources
- FIFA — Argentina 3-0 Algeria: Match Report & Highlights
- FIFA — 2026 World Cup Standings & Knockout Bracket
- Olympics.com — Lionel Messi at the FIFA World Cup: Stats and Records
- ESPN — FIFA World Cup 2026 Stats: Messi’s All-Time Record 18
- ESPN — Messi Nets Hat-trick to Tie Klose Record
- Al Jazeera — Messi Hat-trick Fires Argentina Past Algeria
- ESPN — Lionel Messi Breaks Record for Most World Cup Goals with Austria Double
- Sky Sports — Argentina 2-0 Austria: Messi Breaks Scoring Record
- Al Jazeera — Messi Breaks World Cup’s All-Time Scoring Record with 18 Goals
- ESPN — Ronaldo Becomes First to Score at Six Different World Cups
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