Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterArgentinas 2-0 win over Austria took them through to the round of 32 and all but confirmed them as the winners of Group J.World Cup 2026 has so far been a breeze for the defending world champions, whose five unanswered goals against Algeria and Austria were all scored by captain and eight-time Ballon dOr winner Lionel Messi.Eight Ballon dOr triumphs is a record, of course, and its just one of the very many to which Messis name is attached. Just before his 39th birthday, the Inter Miami man added a couple of beauties to the list.Play our free match predictor and win �1kRecord World Cup goalscorerMost noteworthy among the avalanche of records broken by Messi in his career is the one he absolutely demolished in the space of two World Cup 2026 matches.At the start of the tournament, Messi had scored 13 World Cup goals three fewer than the World Cups record goalscorer, Miroslav Klose. You may like Which records will Lionel Messi break at World Cup 2026? Lionel Messis penalty record after he misses for Argentina vs Austria How to watch Argentina vs Austria for FREE He was level with the former Germany striker by the end of the opening game against Algeria. Despite missing a penalty, he was ahead with 17 goals by half time in the win over Austria. He added number 18 four minutes into stoppage time at the end of the game.Klose, Ronaldo and Gerd Muller are all retired but France striker Kylian Mbappe moved to within three goals of Messi almost immediately. Were so sure his tally will grow very soon that were not going to put a number on it.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.For now, Messi rules the roost.Most World Cup matches wonThe Argentina skipper shares the record for the most World Cups with Cristiano Ronaldo. Both played at their first World Cup in Germany in 2006 and have featured in every tournament since.But its Messi who has played in the most World Cup matches (28) ahead of Lothar Matthaus (25), Klose (24) and Paolo Maldini and Cristiano Ronaldo (23), and he has the most minutes to boot. What to read next Lionel Messi makes World Cup history in sensational one-man display Is Lionel Messi injured for Argentina vs Austria? World Cup stars fitness latest Mbappe World Cup goals: How many does the Frenchman need to overtake Lionel Messi? Remarkably, Messi started tonights game against Austria level with Klose for the number of World Cup matches theyd won too. The Argentina captains record-breaking goals also took him to 18 wins, one clear of Kloses 17.Cafu of Brazil is third on the list with 16 wins. Five players Wolfgang Overath (West Germany), Ronaldo (Brazil), Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Matthaus (all Germany) have won 15 games.Of those, only Matthaus has a lower run-rate than Messi in terms of World Cup matches won. Mbappe has a better goals-per-match record than Messi along with Harry Kane, Enner Valencia, Cody Gakpo and James Rodriguez.Technicalities. The World Cup-winning, multiple record-holding Argentinian skipper probably doesnt mind.TOPICSArgentinaWorld CupWorld Cup 2026Chris NeeChris is a Warwickshire-based freelance football writer specialising in West Midlands football, the Premier League, the EFL and the J.League. He is the author of the High Protein Beef Paste football newsletter and owner of Aston Villa Review. He supports Coventry Sphinx.
