Lionel Messi equals Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup record in just two games

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Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Lionel Messi is now the record-holder for the most goals scored in World Cup history, breaking Miroslav Klose’s tally of 16 strikes by netting a brace for Argentina against Austria on Monday.

The 39-year-old drew level with Klose after scoring a mesmeric hat-trick during a 3-0 win over Algeria in Argentina’s first group stage game in 2026, while he became the outright leader when he slotted past Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager in the 38th minute.

Messi had already missed the opportunity to break Klose’s record when he put a ninth minute penalty wide of the post, but he put that right before the end of the first-half, while he later added a second to secure all three points for Argentina in second-half stoppage time.

It means Messi now sits atop the all-time World Cup goalscorer charts with 18 strikes in the tournament’s history, although it’s likely that he will be surpassed by France superstar Kylian Mbappe before the Real Madrid forward ends his playing career.

Lionel Messi matches Cristiano Ronaldo

In addition to becoming the all-time top goalscorer in World Cup history, Messi also incredibly equalled his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally of five non-penalty goals in six World Cup finals appearances in just the opening two matches of the 2026 tournament.

Ronaldo has scored a total of five non-penalty World Cup goals during his entire career, in 23 games, with three of his eight strikes coming from the penalty spot. Messi, meanwhile, has scored five non-penalty goals in just two games in 2026.

Ronaldo will have the chance to increase his World Cup goal tally when Portugal take on Uzbekistan on Tuesday, although he will be required to play far better than he did against DR Congo, in which his performance was widely criticised by fans and pundits alike.

Ronaldo has also never registered a goal contribution in the knockout stages of the World Cup, while Messi has five goals and six assists in knockout games.

Furthermore, Messi has won the World Cup, after guiding Argentina to glory in 2022, and Ronaldo is yet to lift the most famous trophy in sport.