Lionel Messi has become the leading goalscorer in World Cup history after scoring in Argentina’s group game against Austria.
Just two days before his 39th birthday, Messi eclipsed Miroslav Klose’s men’s record of 16 goals, which had stood since 2014, clinically firing home during the first half against their Group J opponents in Dallas.
Messi crowned a flowing Argentina move, starting the attack before arriving unmarked in the penalty area to sweep a first-time finish into the bottom corner from Facundo Medina’s low cross. It was the sixth consecutive World Cup game in which Messi has scored. He had spurned an earlier opportunity to claim the record, pulling a penalty wide of the target in the ninth minute after Argentina were awarded a spot-kick.
The goal sparked celebrations among a sea of Argentina shirts in Dallas, with chants of Messi’s name echoing around the stadium as, four decades after Diego Maradona’s iconic exploits, Argentina’s latest No 10 continued to build his own World Cup legacy.
He then wrapped up victory in added time with his second goal, moving to 18 career goals at the World Cup, one more than Brazil’s Marta.
Messi’s hat-trick in the previous game, a 3-0 win over Algeria in his 200th international appearance, came 20 years to the date of his World Cup debut, when he also scored. He is playing in his sixth World Cup, and Monday’s game was his Fifa-record 28th match in the tournament.
Klose played in 24 World Cup matches for Germany, wrapping up his fourth tournament appearance by winning the 2014 final 1-0 in extra time against Messi’s Argentina. Brazil forward Ronaldo is third on the list with 15 goals, with Gerd Müller and Kylian Mbappé tied on 14 goals each.
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Messi’s father has been undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed illness, the family said in a statement last week while not providing any specifics. The 68-year-old Jorge Messi has played a key role in his third son’s career, acting as his agent and managing his business affairs off the field.
