MESSI HITS 18 WORLD CUP GOALS.

IN DETAIL

Argentina beat Austria 2-0 in the World Cup group stage. Messi scored both goals:

Goal #17 – 38th minute. Broke Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 men’s World Cup goals. 

Goal #18 – Stoppage time. Broke the overall record, passing Brazil’s Marta who had 17 . 

He actually missed a penalty in the 9th minute first, then made history anyway. 

2026 WORLD CUP run so far

5 goals in 2 games

Hat trick vs Algeria in opener

Brace vs Austria

Now scored in 6 consecutive World Cup matches . 

At 38 years old, he’s the oldest player to score a World Cup hat trick and is playing in his record 6th World Cup. 

2026 calendar year stats

For club + country in 2026:

18 goals, 7 assists in 20 games

900th career goal came on March 18, 2026

Currently with Inter Miami, age 38.

All-time World Cup goals list now

Lionel Messi – 18

Miroslav Klose – 16

Ronaldo Nazário – 15

Gerd Müller – 14

Pelé – 12 fed1

MBAPPÉ is chasing at 14 goals and plays Iraq later today.