Lionel Messi continues to remind the football world that he’s the greatest player of all time, with one GOAT move after another. Now, he’s the all-time leading FIFA World Cup goalscorer — and will only extend his mark with every goal.
Thanks to his hat trick against Algeria, Messi broke multiple records in his first 2026 World Cup match, including equaling Germany’s Miroslav Klose for most men’s World Cup goals in history with 16. He also now holds the record for being the youngest and oldest Argentinian to score in the competition, and after the 3-0 win over Algeria, he became the oldest male player to net a hat trick at the World Cup.
And that was only after his first 2026 World Cup match.
In his second game this summer, against Austria in the group-stage match, Messi made history again, breaking the tie with Klose and becoming the all-time top scorer in men’s World Cup history with 17. And then he kept going. Shortly before the end of the match, he netted his second goal of the game, bringing his World Cup total to 18 goals and breaking the all-time tie he had with Brazilian women’s national team legend Marta (17).
Messi now stands alone in FIFA World Cup history with 18 tournament goals and 122 overall as Argentina’s top scorer.
He has five goals in his first two matches at this edition of the World Cup, and the fact that he’s been doing this for two decades is remarkable.
There is no doubt that the Argentinian captain, who is playing in a record sixth World Cup alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, will continue to keep opponents up at night. So the only natural thing to do is to not just count his 2026 World Cup goals, but also rank them.
But it can’t just end there, so allow me to rank all 18 of them. Because every beautiful gem deserves its own appraisal. On his 39th birthday, therefore, may I present my rankings of Lionel Messi’s 18 World Cup goals.
And yes, as you might expect, I will more than likely be adding even more.
18. Goal vs. Saudi Arabia | Nov. 22, 2022
Messi stepped up for the penalty after a foul on Leandro Paredes. But the shock of the tournament arrived when Herve Renard’s Saudi Arabia came out victorious. It would only be the spark that would eventually kickstart a historic World Cup-winning campaign.
17. First Goal vs. France | Dec. 18, 2022
For me, the 2022 World Cup final was the greatest I have ever witnessed, and it started with another spot-kick as Messi made it 1-0. Little did we know that this would only be the first chapter of an incredible footballing novel.
16. Goal vs. Netherlands | Dec. 9, 2022
Messi already had an assist for the opening goal, and he made it 2-0 before the Netherlands came back to make it very entertaining with another penalty. La Pulga placed it beautifully past Andries Noppert as the Argentina faithful celebrated from behind the goal.
15. Goal vs. Croatia | Dec. 13, 2022
Another clutch penalty after Julián Álvarez was taken down. Messi’s spot-kick was smashed into the top right corner as Dominik Livaković couldn’t do anything about it.
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14. Second Goal vs. France | Dec. 18, 2022
A dramatic goal in stoppage time when Argentina took a 3-2 lead as Hugo Lloris failed to push away a shot from Lautaro Martinez, so Messi pounced. As we all remember, the night would conclude with a penalty shootout and a glorious third World Cup title, 36 years after Diego Maradona lifted the trophy in México.
13. Second Goal vs. Algeria | June 16, 2026
A prototypical Messi instinct is to react before anyone else. And that’s what happened here after Alexis Mac Allister’s effort was pushed away by Zidane, but not far enough. Messi pounced and earned his second goal of the night.
12. Third Goal vs. Algeria | June 16, 2026
There is probably more of a poetic, symbolic meaning to this goal as it officially marked his first ever hat trick at the World Cup. But it was also a delightful finish that sealed the three points and placed Messi in the history books.
Receiving a ball from Nico Gonzalez inside the box, the soon-to-be 39-year-old star made a quick assessment and shot at Zidane with an effort that went bottom-left. Once again, the goal was perfectly placed with tremendous accuracy and the stadium knew the outcome. We all did.
Messi, once again, gave us an evening to never forget.
11. Goal vs. Australia | Dec. 3, 2022
It took a dramatic save from Emiliano Martínez at the end of this one for Argentina to secure the victory, but it all started with Messi’s opener during what was his 1,000th career match. The goal started from a free-kick cross by Leo that ended up with him entering the box and, with a slight touch from Nicolas Otamendi, the Argentinian icon placed a low shot past Matt Ryan.
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10. First Goal vs. Algeria | June 16, 2026
Messi, as he is turning, receives the ball from his Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul, and with his quintessential, almost omnipotent left foot, takes an effort just outside the box, smashing a powerful shot past Algeria’s Luka Zidane. Zinedine’s son probably saw it coming, but like many other mortals, it just can’t be stopped. It was the door that opened the floodgates.
Once again, as is always the case, it started and ended with Messi as he provided the ball out to the left to Julian Alvarez. The man from Atlético de Madrid saw his shot saved, Messi claimed it, then shot it. THAT one gets blocked, but because Leo never quits, the Argentinian captain headed toward the center of the box and smashed it in.
Pure determination.
9. Record-Breaking Goal vs. Austria | June 22, 2026
Of course, this is the goal that’s sealed in time, making him the all-time scorer in men’s World Cup history. After missing a penalty in the 14th minute, Messi made amends by scoring a delicious finish, thanks also to a wonderful dummy by Thiago Almada.
Messi took it the first time, and it was clear he was never going to miss. On the 40th anniversary of Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” against England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal, Messi created another eternal memory for Argentina.
8. Goal vs. Serbia and Montenegro | June 16, 2006
Messi’s first ever goal at the World Cup. Days before his 19th birthday, Messi came on from the bench with just over 15 minutes left. Carlos Tevez found the then-Barcelona teenager, who made a run inside the box and slotted it past the goalkeeper.
It may not be his greatest goal from an aesthetic perspective, but it’s one of the most meaningful.
7. Goal vs. Mexico | Nov. 26, 2022
Anxiety was rising with Argentina fans as La Albiceleste was currently at 0-0 against Mexico deep in the second half. But then came Leo as Di María gave him the ball just outside the box. The Argentina captain sent a powerful, low effort past Memo Ochoa for the opener and the South Americans erupted.
6. First Goal vs. Nigeria | June 25, 2014
Messi ended the group stage in perfection, scoring a brace against Nigeria. The first came in the second minute of action as Angel Di María hit the post and, like a bull charging at will, Leo entered the box and smashed it in. An absolute rocket.
5. Second Goal vs. Austria | June 22, 2026
Once again, as is always the case, it started and ended with Messi as he provided the ball out to the left to Julian Alvarez. The man from Atlético de Madrid saw his shot saved, Messi claimed it, then shot it. THAT one gets blocked, but because Leo never quits, the Argentinian captain headed toward the center of the box and smashed it in.
Pure determination. And also, pay attention to his touch just as he gets the ball inside the box. It is the definition of genius and elegance. But you have to slow down the highlight in order to truly appreciate it.
4. Second Goal vs. Nigeria | June 25, 2014
The second was Messi’s first and only free-kick goal at the World Cup. Nigeria came back with a goal but, in true fashion, La Pulga reclaimed his team the lead with a beautiful set piece. Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama could only watch and follow it in as he knew — as we all did — he was already beaten.
3. Goal vs. Iran | June 21, 2014
Iran held on as much as it could. But when you face Messi, that’s just never enough. In the 90th minute, Leo picked up the ball on the edge of the box and completely smashed a beautiful left-footed attempt heading towards the top left of goal. A piece of magic and one of my favorite goals.
2. Goal vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina | June 15, 2014
Messi didn’t score in the 2010 World Cup so he had to make amends four years later in Brazil. At 27, he was ready to make a statement and this is one of my favorite goals because you are now seeing prime Leo—running at full speed—unable to be stopped.
Messi drives towards goal, gives it to Gonzalo Higuain, gets it right back and, with a lethal left-foot finish that eventually becomes a trademark on the bottom left, scores. The best part is that he forced two Bosnian defenders to crash into each other in the process, as they were unable to stop the Argentinian.
They became two early victims of Messi’s wrath.
1. Goal vs. Nigeria | June 26, 2018
After causing havoc against the Super Eagles back in 2014, the African side was probably done with this guy by the time Russia 2018 arrived. But Messi was not and four years later, Leo scored what is in my opinion, his greatest World Cup goal.
He received a great pass from Ever Banega, and as he was tracked down by a defender, Leo took a touch as smooth as butter with his left knee, then with his left foot, brought it down to his weaker right foot and slammed it past the goalkeeper.
Hang it in the Louvre? It’s a goal so good that it deserves to have its own exhibition.
Messi Does It AGAIN 🤯 Scores Brace vs Austria To Become All-Time FIFA World Cup™ Goalscoring Leader
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