Argentina captain Lionel Messi has reacted with humility after becoming the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history, surpassing German legend Miroslav Klose’s long-standing record.
The Argentine superstar etched his name deeper into football history on Monday night after scoring twice in Argentina’s victory over Austria at Dallas Stadium during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Messi had already equalled Klose’s record of 16 goals after netting a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening match against Algeria. His brace against Austria took his tally to 18 World Cup goals, putting him two clear of the former Germany striker and establishing a new all-time scoring record.
Despite the historic feat, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner insisted he was more focused on celebrating with his teammates than dwelling on personal milestones.
I am tired now. I’m not thinking about that,” Messi told Fox Sports in Spanish. “I just want to enjoy the win with my teammates. We’ve already given people many moments of joy, but we’ll try to give them even more.”
Former Germany international Miroslav Klose, who previously held the World Cup scoring record and currently manages Nuremberg, congratulated Messi on the achievement and described the Argentine icon as the greatest player of all time.
For me, Lionel Messi is the best of all time, Klose told German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. Congratulations, champ!
Messi’s latest accomplishment adds to an already glittering career that includes multiple Ballon d’Or titles, Copa América triumphs and the 2022 FIFA World Cup title with Argentina.
His outstanding performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have once again underlined his status as one of football’s greatest players. With Argentina still in contention in the tournament, fans around the world will be eager to see how many more records the legendary forward can break before the competition comes to an end.
The latest milestone further cements Messi’s place among football immortals, with his combination of consistency, longevity and brilliance continuing to inspire generations of players and supporters worldwide.
