Messi breaks World Cup scoring record as veteran stars shine at 2026 tournament

Lionel Messi set a new all‑time FIFA World Cup goals record in the 2026 tournament, surpassing Miroslav Klose with 18 goals after a hat‑trick against Algeria and a double‑strike in the win over Austria. His 38‑year‑old performance was highlighted alongside fellow super‑stars Kylian Mbappé, who reached 16 World Cup goals for France, and Norway’s Erling Haaland, who scored twice in a 3‑2 victory over Senegal.

The tournament also featured a notable group of veteran players. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41, was the second‑oldest participant, while the United States’ Tim Ream and Argentina’s Messi were among the oldest fielded at 38. Others aged 39‑43 included Croatia’s Luka Modrić, Germany’s Manuel Neuer, Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa and Japan’s Yuto Nagatomo, underscoring the experience depth on display at the World Cup.

The early matches, held in U.S. venues such as Philadelphia and East Rutherford, highlighted both record‑breaking individual feats and the continued competitiveness of seasoned internationals.