Messi Scores 2 to Reach 18 World Cup Goals as Argentina Clinches Knockout Berth

Q: By surpassing Brazil's Marta, Messi now holds the overall scoring record. Why was her historic achievement so widely ignored until now?

Marta’s record was largely overlooked because women’s football spent decades in a far less visible, less funded and less promoted system than the men’s game. When Marta reached 17 World Cup goals, it was a historic mark across both the men’s and women’s tournaments. But media coverage, commercial investment and public attention were still heavily tilted toward men’s football. That meant many outlets treated men’s World Cup records as the default benchmark, while women’s achievements were often framed separately rather than as part of the sport’s full history. That imbalance has deep roots. Women’s football in many countries faced bans, weak professional structures, smaller broadcast deals, fewer sponsorships and much lower pay. Those conditions reduced the visibility of even the biggest accomplishments. Marta herself has spoken about succeeding in a sport still widely viewed as a men’s domain. The contrast is visible even now. Messi’s rise past Miroslav Klose was instantly presented as a major global milestone, while the fact that he also moved beyond Marta for the overall World Cup scoring record only became a broader talking point because his fame forced the comparison into mainstream coverage. So the issue was not the scale of Marta’s achievement. It was the longstanding under-recognition of women’s football. As audiences and investment in the women’s game have grown, that earlier neglect has become harder to ignore.

Q: Messi just claimed the all-time scoring record. With a 27-year-old Mbappé just two goals behind, how long will his reign last?

Messi’s hold on the record may be brief. With 18 World Cup goals, he is only two clear of Kylian Mbappé, who is 27 and already on 16 after adding four goals in this tournament. That means the record could fall as soon as this World Cup if Mbappé keeps scoring and France makes a deep run. The immediate threat is obvious. Messi has five goals through two matches in 2026, but he also said after the Austria game that he was tired and low on strength as he approaches 39. Argentina are through, so he should get more matches, yet his physical condition is now part of the story. Mbappé, by contrast, is in his prime and has already shown he can produce huge World Cup numbers, including winning the Golden Boot in 2022. Even if Messi finishes this tournament still on top, Mbappé remains the overwhelming favorite to break the mark over time. He is 11 years younger, has likely at least two more World Cups after 2026, and is already level with Miroslav Klose’s old men’s record. That gives him multiple chances to move past Messi. So the most realistic answer is that Messi’s reign could last only days or weeks if Mbappé catches him in 2026. If not, it is still unlikely to last beyond the next World Cup cycle unless Messi somehow extends the record further.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 23

Two Messi goals beat Austria 2-0 and sent Argentina into the knockout round, while lifting the 38-year-old to a record 18 career World Cup goals.
Those strikes gave Messi five goals in two matches—best at the 2026 tournament—after he opened with a hat trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria.
Messi said after the match he was too tired to name his favorite among the 18, adding he had "low strength" and only wanted to rejoin his teammates.
Four days before Argentina's Group J finale against Jordan, the scoring race remains tight: Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland each have four tournament goals, and Mbappe is up to 16 career World Cup goals.

Sources

Yahoo Sports5h ago

Lionel Messi Too Tired to Recall Favorite World Cup Goal After Record-Setting Brace vs. Austria

The Express Tribune11h ago

Messi breaks World Cup scoring record as Argentina seal knockout berth

The Daily Star2h ago

Very tired' Messi savours record night as Argentina march on | The Daily Star

10 Sources

By surpassing Brazil's Marta, Messi now holds the overall scoring record. Why was her historic achievement so widely ignored until now?

With Messi admitting fatigue, is Argentina's reliance on its 39-year-old star a dangerous gamble for their World Cup title defense?

Messi just claimed the all-time scoring record. With a 27-year-old Mbappé just two goals behind, how long will his reign last?

Lionel Messi Becomes All-Time World Cup Top Scorer with 18 Goals: Argentina’s 2026 Journey and What’s Next

Overview

On June 22, 2026, Lionel Messi made history by becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup tournaments, surpassing Miroslav Klose’s record. Messi achieved this milestone by scoring his 17th and 18th World Cup goals in Argentina’s crucial win over Austria, after entering the match with 16 goals and having already netted a hat trick in the tournament opener. Despite missing an early penalty, Messi’s double secured Argentina’s place in the knockout stage and highlighted his remarkable consistency and longevity, further cementing his legendary status in world football.

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