Lionel Messi pulled up his shirt to wipe away tears after scoring a stunning opening goal against Algeria in the 2026 World Cup – but the emotion, he later revealed, was not because he was about to equal the tournament's all-time scoring record. The 38-year-old Argentina captain scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 group-stage win at Kansas City Stadium to move level with Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals, 20 years to the day after scoring his first in the competition as a teenager. For UK football fans accustomed to watching Messi dominate in European colours, this moment – in what may be his final World Cup – crystallises a career defined by relentless excellence that has reshaped how we measure greatness.
The World Cup scoring record is a simple tally of goals scored by a player across all editions of the tournament. Klose, a German striker, set the mark of 16 goals across four World Cups (2002-2014), surpassing Brazil's Ronaldo (15). Messi has now equalled that figure with goals in five tournaments (2006-2026). His hat-trick on Tuesday night – a curling 30-yard opener, a tap-in from Alexis Mac Allister's shot, and a trademark left-footed finish – took him from 13 to 16. He also became Argentina's oldest World Cup goalscorer, beating Martin Palermo's record by more than two years.
“Lionel Messi equals Miroslav Klose's World Cup scoring record with a hat-trick against Algeria.”
Messi's journey to the record began on 16 June 2006, when he scored Argentina's sixth goal in a 6-0 demolition of Serbia and Montenegro. He was 18, a mop-headed substitute with alien speed. Since then, he has accumulated 16 goals in 26 World Cup appearances. The record was held by Klose, who played 24 matches and scored with his head and both feet. Messi's pursuit has been slower – he scored just one goal in 2010, four in 2014 (when he led Argentina to the final), six in 2022 (when he captained them to the trophy), and now five in 2026. Tuesday's performance was vintage: his first goal, a solo run and curled finish, left Algeria midfielder Ibrahim Maza, who played for Bayern Munich, to simply call it “Messi things”.
For UK readers, Messi's record matters because it places him alongside the greatest goalscorers in the history of football's most-watched event. British fans who grew up watching Gary Lineker (10 World Cup goals) or Harry Kane (8) can appreciate the rarity of reaching 16. It also adds to the lore of the World Cup as a stage where legends are measured. Messi's emotion – he said his tears were “completely unrelated to football” and that he had “difficult days” before the game – reminds us that even the greatest carry personal burdens. England fans may also recall that Messi has never scored against England in a competitive match, but his record remains the benchmark for any player chasing immortality.
Q: What is the World Cup all-time scoring record? The record is the most goals scored by a player in the men's FIFA World Cup finals. It is currently held jointly by Miroslav Klose (Germany) and Lionel Messi (Argentina), both with 16 goals. Klose set the record in 2014, surpassing Brazil's Ronaldo (15). Messi equalled it in June 2026.
Q: How many World Cup goals has Messi scored overall? Messi has scored 16 World Cup goals in 26 appearances across five tournaments (2006-2026). His goals are: 1 in 2006, 1 in 2010, 4 in 2014, 6 in 2022 (including two in the final), and 5 in 2026 (including a hat-trick against Algeria).
Q: Who was Miroslav Klose? Miroslav Klose is a retired German striker who scored 16 World Cup goals in 24 matches across four tournaments (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014). He was known for his heading ability and hold-up play. He won the World Cup in 2014. His record stood for 12 years until Messi equalled it.
Q: Can Messi break the record? Yes. Messi has at least one more group-stage match in the 2026 World Cup, and potentially knockout games if Argentina progress. He needs just one more goal to stand alone as the all-time leading World Cup goalscorer. His next match will be closely watched.
What happens next Argentina will play their final group match, after which Messi could have the opportunity to score his 17th World Cup goal and become the outright record holder. The tournament continues, with Argentina viewed as strong contenders to defend their 2022 title. Messi's personal form and the team's cohesion will be decisive.