Lionel Messi scores 18 goals and becomes the world’s top cup scorer, surpassing Marta and Klose’s marks By Carolina Costa
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Lionel Messi, aged 38, achieved an unprecedented feat in world football by finding the net twice against Austria last Monday (22). Firstly, the Argentine star surpassed Miroslav Klose’s record as the highest male scorer in World Cups. Soon after, in the final moments of the game, he scored his 18th goal, leaving behind Queen Marta, 40 years old, who until then led the overall World Cup rankings with 17 goals.
The legendary Brazilian striker, widely recognized as the best of all time in her sport, established her impressive record in 23 World Cup clashes. There is a possibility that Marta will increase this number when she participates in the next women’s World Cup, scheduled for Brazil in 2027.
Historic performance: Messi breaks records held by Marta and Miroslav Klose in the same match
French star Kylian Mbappé, who will also play this Monday against Iraq, currently has 14 goals scored in World Cups. He seeks to get closer to historical leaders.
In total, Messi’s 18 goals were accumulated in 28 World Cup duels. This count, it is worth mentioning, can still be increased over the next games of the Argentine team in the current competition.
Messi’s debut in the world tournament took place in 2006, in the edition hosted in Germany, when he scored a goal against the Serbia and Montenegro team. In contrast, three years earlier, Marta had already scored her first three goals in a World Cup, played in the United States.
Marta’s best scoring performance in World Cups was in 2007, in China, where she scored seven goals. Interestingly, the most notable year for the Argentine was in 2022, in Qatar, when he also scored seven times in the same edition.
The Argentine team became three-time world champions in that memorable championship in Qatar.
In the tournament being held this year, with venues in the United States, Mexico and Canada, Messi has already scored five goals and remains the isolated top scorer so far.
Top scorers of all world cups, in men’s and women’s football
- Lionel Messi (Argentina)
– Total goals: 18
– Goals per edition: 2006 (1), 2010 (0), 2014 (4), 2018 (1), 2022 (7), 2026 (5 so far)
– Total matches played: 28
- Marta (Brazil)
– Total goals: 17
– Goals per edition: 2003 (3), 2007 (7), 2011 (4), 2015 (1), 2019 (2), 2023 (0)
– Total matches played: 23
- Miroslav Klose (Germany)
– Total goals: 16
– Goals per edition: 2002 (5), 2006 (5), 2010 (4), 2014 (2)
– Total matches played: 24
- Ronaldo (Brazil)
– Total goals: 15
– Goals per edition: 1994 (0), 1998 (4), 2002 (8), 2006 (3)
– Total matches played: 19
- Kylian Mbappé (France)
– Total goals: 14
– Goals per edition: 2018 (4), 2022 (8), 2026 (2 so far)
– Total matches played: 15
- Gerd Müller (East Germany)
– Total goals: 14
– Goals per edition: 1970 (10), 1974 (4)
– Total matches played: 13
- Birgit Prinz (Germany)
– Total goals: 14
– Goals per edition: 1995 (1), 1999 (1), 2003 (7), 2007 (5), 2011 (0)
– Total matches played: 24
- Abby Wambach (United States)
– Total goals: 14
– Goals per edition: 2003 (3), 2007 (6), 2011 (4), 2015 (1)
– Total matches played: 25
- Just Fontaine (France)
– Total goals: 13
– Goals per edition: 1958 (13)
– Total matches played: 6
- Pele (Brazil)
– Total goals: 12
– Goals per edition: 1958 (6), 1962 (1), 1966 (1), 1970 (4)
– Total matches played: 14
- Michelle Akers (United States)
– Total goals: 12
– Goals per edition: 1991 (10), 1995 (0), 1999 (2)
– Total matches played: 13
