11 World Cup Records Lionel Messi Holds After Historic Goal for Argentina

After Lionel Messi‘s latest historic effort in Argentina‘s 2-0 win over Austria on Monday, the international superstar now holds a long list of records that may not be broken for quite some time.

Beginning with his record for most goals scored in World Cup history, Messi surpassed former German striker Miroslav Klose with his 17th and 18th tallies of his long World Cup career, which has spanned six separate tournaments. His first goal was scored in the 38th minute to give Argentina a 1-0 lead, while the second came in stoppage time during the 95th minute. It was his fourth career multi-goal game of his World Cup career and according to Will Jeanes of The Athletic, he has now scored 11% of his country’s goals in its history participating in the tournament.

Messi is one of two players to play in six different World Cups, as he was joined by Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo earlier during this year’s event. Messi currently has scored more than double the amount of World Cup goals than Ronaldo, who has netted eight tallies throughout his career. Messi has scored a goal in all but one of the World Cups in which he has appeared, remaining scoreless in 2010 in South Africa.

With Argentina’s triumph over Austria, he won his 18th career World Cup game, which is the most ever, while his 28 caps are also the most-ever throughout the event’s history, which began in 1930. According to Guiness, his 2,489 minutes played also stand alone as the most recorded by a player since the tournament’s inception in 1930.

Messi is currently tied with fellow countryman Diego Maradona for the most assists in World Cup history with eight, while he has also created the most chances by any player to participate in the tournament with 74 created in 26 games entering Monday’s match against the Austrians, per OptaStats. He also joined former Cameroonian Roger Milla as the only two players aged 38 or older to score four-plus goals in a single FIFA World Cup, according to ESPN Insights. Messi will turn 39 on June 24.

Additionally, the Argentine legend is the third player in tournament history to score a goal in six successive appearances, tying Just Fontaine (1958) and Jairzinho (1970), per OptaJoe. Finally, Messi made a bit of unwanted history during the dominant win over Austria, becoming the first player to miss three penalty kicks during his World Cup career, according to the FOX broadcast. However, he has taken the most attempts of any player in history with seven.

It’s difficult to imagine where Argentina and the soccer world as a whole would be if Messi hadn’t reversed his decision to retire in 2016. He’s gone on to enjoy an incredible international career that has produced the Argentine’s first World Cup title since 1986 and a celebrated run that may never be replicated.

Next up for the GOAT and Argentina will be a matchup with Jordan on June 27. Kick off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET in Dallas.

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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 2:03 PM.