TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Argentina national team star Lionel Messi has just set a new world football record after he became the top scorer in the World Cup with 16 goals, equaling the record previously held by German striker Miroslav Klose.
The official FIFA Instagram account stated on Wednesday, as quoted by ANTARA, Messi set this record after scoring a hat trick and leading his country to a 3-0 victory over Algeria in Group J, opening the 2026 World Cup.
On Wednesday, Messi scored three goals while playing at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas. His goals came in the 17th, 60th, and 76th minutes. This hat-trick made Messi the oldest player to achieve such a feat, according to FIFA records, at 38 years and 357 days old.
On the other hand, this hat-trick was very special for Messi because it coincided with his 200th appearance for Argentina and also exactly 20 years after his debut for the Tango Team at the World Cup on June 16, 2006.
Messi has scored 16 goals in five of the six tournaments he has played in since 2006. The only time he failed to score was in 2010 in South Africa when Argentina were beaten 4-0 by Germany in the quarter-finals, with Klose scoring twice.
Meanwhile, Klose, who retired in July 2016, scored 16 goals in four editions of the tournament from 2002 to 2014. In the 2014 edition in Brazil, his two goals led his country to its fourth world title.
With only one match left in the 2026 World Cup, Messi has a lot of potential to improve this record. He could score even more goals if Argentina advances further in this year's quadrennial tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Behind Klose and Messi, the top scorer in World Cup history is Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario with 15 goals. Ronaldo retired in February 2011. He scored his last World Cup goal in 2006 in Germany when France eliminated Portugal in the quarterfinals.
Then, behind Ronaldo, the World Cup's top scorers are Gerd Muller and Kylian Mbappe, each with 14 goals. Mbappe just equaled German football legend Muller's record early Wednesday morning after his two goals led Les Bleus to a 3-1 victory over Senegal in Group I.
With his two goals, Mbappe became the French national team's top scorer in the World Cup, surpassing the previous record of 13 goals set by the legendary Just Fontaine.
Here's a list of the all-time top scorers at the World Cup:
16 goals: Miroslav Klose (Germany), Lionel Messi (Argentina)
15 goals: Ronaldo (Brazil)
14 goals: Gerd Muller (Germany), Kylian Mbappe (France).
Read: Why Did Messi Cry After Scoring in Argentina's World Cup Opener?
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Why Did Messi Cry After Scoring in Argentina's World Cup Opener?
1 jam lalu
Apart from scoring his first hat-trick in the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Messi became the first player to appear in six editions of the tournament.
World Cup 2026: Messi Hat-Trick Powers Argentina to 3-0 Win Over Algeria
5 jam lalu
Lionel Messi was the star of the victory for Albiceleste, scoring all three goals for Argentina. His hat-trick equaled Miroslav Klose's record as the top goal scorer in World Cup history.
Argentina vs Algeria Lineups: Messi Leads World Cup Holders
6 jam lalu
Lionel Messi will lead defending champions Argentina against Algeria in their opening match of Group D of the 2026 World Cup
Messi Set for Sixth World Cup as Argentina Announce Final Squad
19 hari lalu
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni officially announced his final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday.
Lionel Messi Suffers Injury Ahead of 2026 World Cup
22 hari lalu
Lionel Messi was injured during the 2026 MLS match between Inter Miami and the Philadelphia Union.
Argentina Awaits Lionel Messi's 2026 World Cup Decision
29 Maret 2026
Argentine national team coach Lionel Scaloni emphasizes that Lionel Messi's decision should consider the player's physical and mental conditions.
Lionel Messi Surpasses Pele's Free-Kick Goal Record
24 Maret 2026
Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi officially surpassed Brazilian legend Pele's free-kick goals record.
Lionel Messi Remains Undecided Over a 2026 World Cup Return
28 Oktober 2025
Lionel Messi is weighing physical and mental factors before representing Argentina in the 2026 World Cup. He aims to defend the title.
Lionel Messi Injured as Inter Miami Defeats Necaxa in League Cup 2025
3 Agustus 2025
Lionel Messi was substituted in the 11th minute as Inter Miami defeated Necaxa in a penalty shootout in the League Cup 2025.
Messi Fails to Score, PSG Beat Inter Miami 4-0 in FIFA Club World Cup
30 Juni 2025
The match against PSG is special for Lionel Messi. The Inter Miami captain is facing the club he once played for from 2021-2023.
