Just fontaine

FIFA World Cup: Lionel Messi scored a goal for Argentina against Austria in the 38th minute of their Group J match in the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Dallas Stadium on Monday, setting the record of most individual goals by any player in the tournament's history. This was Messi's 17th goal in the FIFA World Cup and also his fourth in the 2026 edition.

Two days before his 39th birthday, Messi not only broke the tournament's scoring record, but he also joined Just Fontaine of France and Jairzinho of Brazil as the third man to score in six successive World Cup games. This is Messi's fourth goal of the tournament, taking his tally to 17 at the World Cup.

Messi improved on the record of 16 goals held by Miroslav Klose of Germany. The list is now led by Messi with 17 goals, followed by Klose at 16 and Ronaldo (Brazil) at 15 goals. Kylian Mbappe of France and Gerd Müller of Germany are next in the list with 14 goals.