Messi Breaks Klose's Record: Now World Cup's All-Time Top Scorer

It is the record many thought would never be broken, and Lionel Messi has it. Argentina beat Austria 2-0 on 22 June, and both goals came from their captain — taking him to 18 career World Cup goals and past Miroslav Klose’s long-standing all-time men’s record of 16. Argentina booked their place in the round of 32 in the process.

Following the tournament for the first time? Start with our World Cup 2026 betting guide and the outright winner odds explained.

How it happened

Messi had already equalled Klose’s mark of 16 with his hat-trick in Argentina’s opener, so the stage was set. Against Austria he wasted an early chance — an uncharacteristic missed penalty — before history caught up with him. Just past the half-hour he latched onto a Thiago Almada cutback and swept home a first-time finish to break the record. In stoppage time he added a second to make it 18 and put the result beyond doubt.

The win lifts Argentina to the top of their group and into the knockout rounds with a match in hand. For a 38-year-old playing what is almost certainly his last World Cup, it is a fitting milestone.

18 goals, four tournaments, one record that may stand for a generation.

What it means for the outright market

Records make headlines, but for bettors the more important signal is that Argentina look settled and ruthless early. They were already prominent in the World Cup 2026 winner odds, and a clean, controlled qualification will only firm their price.

The lesson is the familiar one: outright value tends to evaporate once a side starts winning convincingly. If you fancied Argentina before the tournament, the number you can get now is shorter — so judge whether it still beats their true chance rather than chasing the narrative.

The Golden Boot picture

Messi’s brace also reshuffles the scoring race. He now leads the Golden Boot market on five goals, a single strike clear of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé, who each sit on four after their own braces on the same day.

That makes for a genuinely open top-scorer market:

• Messi — in front and in form, but Argentina may rest him once qualification is secure, capping his minutes.
• Haaland and Mbappé — both scoring freely and likely to play deep into the knockouts if their sides progress.
• Field value — a striker from a team with an easier run can overtake all three, so don’t assume the current leader stays there.

Turn any price into an implied probability before backing it — our football betting odds guide shows you how.

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Bet it sensibly

A record-breaking night makes a player look unstoppable, and that is exactly when markets shorten past fair value. Back the numbers that beat the true chance, not the highlight reel, and keep stakes inside a set budget. If betting ever stops being fun, our responsible gambling resources are there to help. 18+.