The Argentina captain has produced a remarkable spell of form at the World Cup ahead of his 39th birthday and, as Miguel Delaney outlines, provided nuance to previous discussions over the greatest player of all time

Lionel Messi now has the World Cup scoring record with 18 goals in his career after scoring twice in a 2-0 victory over Austria.

Ronaldo Nazário praises Lionel Messi after his hat-trick against Algeria ties Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record at 16 goals during the 2026

Argentina are through to the last 32 but this game will be remembered for delivering a slice of World Cup history

Lionel Messi missed a penalty but then made history with his 17th and 18th goals at the World Cup finals as Argentina beat Austria 2-0

Lionel Messi has now become the highest goalscorer in men's World Cup history. His record-breaking 17th goal took place in the match against Austria.

Lionel Messi scored twice to become the World Cup's all-time leading goal scorer as Argentina beat Austria 2-0 to book their place in the last 32

Missed penalty merely delayed the inevitable before forward scored the goals to go past Miroslav Klose’s World Cup goals record

ARLINGTON, Texas, June 22 : Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni admitted to being fatigued by the endless questions around the regular record-breaking feats of Lionel Messi after…

The Argentinian showed why he is perhaps the greatest player in history by delivering another World Cup masterclass - just two days before his 39th birthday.

Messi's latest World Cup feat has reignited debate over whether he is football's greatest of all time.

Lionel Messi scored a brace against Austria, taking his FIFA World Cup goals tally to 18. | Football News

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, who has built an ecosystem around Messi, lauds the captain’s commitment to the team.

Lionel Messi has been truly brilliant in the FIFA World Cup 2026 so far, scoring five goals in two games. | Football News

Despite Austria identifying his lack of off-the-ball running, Lionel Messi strikes twice in Texas to eclipse Miroslav Klose and establish an historic 18-goal World Cup record.

The Argentina captain has produced a remarkable spell of form at the World Cup ahead of his 39th birthday and, as Miguel Delaney outlines, provided nuance to previous discussions…

Despite becoming the World Cup's all-time top scorer, Lionel Messi insisted Argentina's hard-fought win meant more to him than the record. | Football News

Miroslav Klose, who held the record for more than a decade, had nothing but praise for Lionel Messi, hailing him as the greatest player he has ever seen. | Football News

Lionel Messi has become the World Cup's all-time record goalscorer following Argentina 2-0 Austria. Adam Clery has a look at why his opening goal in this game shows how he's been…

Messi's brace in win over Austria took him to five goals at the 2026 World Cup and booked Argentina's place in the Round of 32