what record did messi just break

Lionel Messi just broke the men’s World Cup career scoring record, moving past Miroslav Klose to become the all-time top scorer in the tournament with 18 goals. He also briefly tied and then surpassed the previous record during Argentina’s match against Austria on June 22, 2026.

What happened

• Messi scored twice in that match, bringing his World Cup total to 18 goals.

• The previous men’s World Cup record had been 16 goals, held by Miroslav Klose.

• Some reports also noted he set additional World Cup milestones in the same game, including appearances and minutes played.

Why people are talking about it

This is one of those records that feels almost untouchable because it spans multiple tournaments and years. The story is trending because it adds another major milestone to an already legendary career.

Quick answer

If you saw the headline “what record did Messi just break,” the main one is: most career goals in World Cup history.