Messi equals Klose's record with 16 World Cup goals
After a hat-trick in his 2026 World Cup opener, Lionel Messi has reached 16 goals in the tournament, earning praise from FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Bryan Berlin
Lionel Messi has made history once again with a brilliant performance in Argentina's opening match of the 2026 World Cup. His spectacular hat-trick brought his total tally in the competition to 16 goals, allowing him to equal the legendary German striker Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer in World Cup history.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino took to social media to celebrate the achievement, offering high praise for the Argentine forward. He highlighted Messi's undisputed skill and consistency, describing the milestone as a reflection of his timeless brilliance that continues to bring joy to millions of fans around the globe.
This historic record is the result of Messi's efforts across six different World Cup tournaments. After scoring his first goal back in 2006, he enjoyed his most prolific campaign in Qatar 2022 with seven goals. With his three goals in the 2026 opener, he now sits at the pinnacle of World Cup scoring alongside Klose.