Lionel Messi sets World Cup records with 20th goal and 30th appearance

Lionel Messi scored his 20th FIFA World Cup goal in Argentina's 3‑2 Round‑of‑16 victory over Cabo Verde at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The strike made him the all‑time leading scorer in World Cup history, surpassing Miroslav Klose's 16‑goal record, and gave him a seven‑goal tally to lead the 2026 tournament.

The goal also marked several firsts: Messi became the first player to appear in 30 World Cup matches and the first to play 27 matches as a starter. He tied Leônidas’s record with 12 direct goal involvements (goals plus assists) in knockout stages and joined an elite group by scoring in every tournament stage. Additionally, he extended his personal streak to eight consecutive World Cup games with a goal, a record for the competition. At 39 years old, Messi continues to dominate the scoring charts, staying ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappé, who trails with 18 goals.

These milestones reinforce Messi’s status as the most prolific scorer in World Cup history and underscore his impact on the tournament’s narrative.