Lionel Messi is now the all-time leading goal-scorer in FIFA World Cup history [1].

This milestone cements the Argentine forward's legacy as the most prolific scorer in the tournament's history, surpassing a record that had stood for over a decade.

Messi reached a total of 18 goals [1], moving past the previous record holders. Both Miroslav Klose and Kylian Mbappé follow him with 16 goals each [2, 3].

The record was secured during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in December 2022 [1]. Messi's ascent to the top of the scoring charts was fueled by a scoring surge during that tournament. He recorded three goals in a match against Algeria and two goals against Austria [1].

Prior to Messi's achievement, Miroslav Klose held the record for 12 years [1]. The shift in the leaderboard reflects the sustained dominance of Messi across multiple tournament cycles.

The achievement places Messi ahead of other historic scorers, including Klose and Mbappé, who remain the closest challengers at 16 goals [2, 3]. The goals scored in late 2022 provided the necessary margin to establish this new benchmark for international football.

“Lionel Messi is now the all-time leading goal-scorer in FIFA World Cup history”

Messi's ascent to the top of the World Cup scoring list represents a shift in the historical hierarchy of football. By surpassing Klose's long-standing record, Messi has transitioned from being a generational talent to the statistically most successful finisher in the world's most prestigious tournament.