Key Facts
Lionel Messi made history on Monday by scoring his 17th World Cup goal, breaking the previous record held by Germany's Miroslav Klose. The goal came in Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria. Messi later added an 18th goal in stoppage time. The match also saw a viral moment involving YouTuber IShowSpeed, a known Cristiano Ronaldo fan, who was visibly stunned by Messi's achievement.
Details of the Record-Breaking Goal
Messi had equaled Klose's record of 16 goals with a hat-trick in Argentina's opening match against Algeria. In that game, he became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick at 38 years and 357 days. Against Austria, Messi missed a penalty in the ninth minute, but he made amends in the 39th minute by scoring the historic goal. The crowd erupted as Messi etched his name in the record books.
IShowSpeed's Reaction
IShowSpeed, a popular YouTuber and vocal supporter of Cristiano Ronaldo, was in the stands wearing an Austria jersey and streaming live. When Messi scored, his face froze in disbelief as fans around him cheered. The moment quickly went viral on social media.
Miroslav Klose's Comments
In an interview published on June 12, Klose predicted that Messi would break his record. “I expect my record to fall in this tournament,” Klose said. “With the larger field of competing teams there are more games and so more chances to score goals. And I assume Argentina and France will go far. That’s perfectly OK, the record will be broken eventually anyhow and Messi is welcome to be the one who does it. I’m a big fan of Messi, always have been. Messi is a genius.”
Impact and Legacy
Messi's record adds to his legendary career. At 38, he continues to defy age and expectations. His 18 goals in World Cup tournaments place him alone at the top, ahead of Klose (16), Ronaldo (8), and others. Argentina, as defending champions, are strong contenders to go far in the tournament.
What Readers Should Know
- Messi now holds the record for most World Cup goals (18).
- He scored his 17th and 18th goals against Austria on June 23, 2026.
- IShowSpeed's reaction became a viral moment.
- Miroslav Klose had previously held the record with 16 goals.
FAQ
How many World Cup goals has Lionel Messi scored?
Lionel Messi has scored 18 World Cup goals as of the match against Austria on June 23, 2026, surpassing Miroslav Klose's record of 16.
Who did Messi surpass for the World Cup scoring record?
Messi surpassed German striker Miroslav Klose, who held the record with 16 goals.
What was IShowSpeed's reaction to Messi's goal?
IShowSpeed, a known Cristiano Ronaldo fan, was seen in the stands wearing an Austria jersey and appeared stunned and frozen as Messi scored.
When did Messi break the record?
Messi broke the record on June 23, 2026, during Argentina's 2-0 win over Austria in the World Cup.