Lionel Messi Ties All-Time Men’s World Cup Goal Record With Hat Trick
Lionel Messi is now tied as the all-time leading scorer in men’s World Cup history after netting a hat trick for Argentina on June 16, 2026. The 3-0 victory over Algeria brought Messi’s career total to 16 goals, matching the record previously held solely by Germany’s Miroslav Klose. Messi also became the first man to appear in six separate World Cup tournaments during the opening match.
How the World Cup scoring leaderboard is shifting
Messi’s performance moved him into a share of the top spot, placing him alongside Klose at 16 goals, according to tournament records. Brazil’s Ronaldo follows closely with 15 goals, while Gerd Müller and Kylian Mbappé are tied at 14. While Messi holds the men’s record, Brazil legend Marta remains the overall leader, having scored 17 goals across six Women’s World Cup appearances.
Lionel Messi is the first male player in history to compete in six World Cup tournaments. Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to match this feat on June 17, 2026, during Portugal’s opening match against DR Congo.
Will Kylian Mbappé overtake the current record?
Kylian Mbappé, who scored two goals against Senegal on the same day, has reached 14 career World Cup goals. At nearly 12 years younger than Messi, analysts suggest Mbappé is the most likely candidate to eventually surpass the 16-goal threshold. His current trajectory puts him within striking distance of the record should he continue to feature in future tournament cycles.
What is next for the record-breaking chase?
Messi has the opportunity to claim the outright lead in Argentina’s next match against Austria on June 22, 2026. The race for the top spot remains fluid, with active players like Mbappé and potentially others closing the gap on the historical benchmarks set by Klose and Müller. The following table illustrates the current state of the leaderboard:
| Goals | Player | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Lionel Messi | Argentina |
| 16 | Miroslav Klose | Germany |
| 15 | Ronaldo | Brazil |
| 14 | Kylian Mbappé | France |
| 14 | Gerd Müller | West Germany |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who holds the overall World Cup scoring record?
Marta of Brazil holds the all-time record across both men’s and women’s tournaments with 17 goals.
How many World Cups has Lionel Messi played in?
As of June 2026, Messi has appeared in six World Cups, making him the first man to reach this milestone.
When can Messi break the record?
He has the chance to score his 17th goal during Argentina’s upcoming match against Austria on June 22, 2026.
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