Sport: Soccer Category: Scores & Results

Lionel Messi surpasses Miroslav Klose's World Cup goals record

The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 22, 2026, 9:01 PM

Last updated Jun 22, 2026

Lionel Messi surpasses Miroslav Klose's World Cup goals record

Summary

Lionel Messi, 38, scored goals to surpass Miroslav Klose’s World Cup goals record during a recent match. Despite missing a penalty early in the game, Messi recovered to score and stand alone atop the list with 17 goals in World Cup history. This milestone follows his recent achievement of a hat-trick, which tied him for the all-time tournament goalscoring record. Messi's landmark performance continues to cement his legacy in international soccer.

Source Links

The Guardian Sport

By the Numbers

•Messi scored several goals to break Klose's record.
•He missed an early penalty during the match.
•Messi recently scored a hat-trick in the World Cup.
•He now has 17 World Cup goals.
•The record highlights Messi's enduring impact on soccer.

Latest Updates

9:01 PMThe Guardian Sport — Argentinian national treasure Lionel Messi stands alone at goalscoring pinnacle | Pablo Iglesias Maurer

What they're saying

"
Missed penalty merely delayed the inevitable before forward scored the goals to go past Miroslav Klose’s World Cup goals record There stood 38-year-old Lionel Messi by the penalty spot, poised for yet another flashbulb moment in a career already overflowing with them. Just a few days removed from his first World Cup hat-trick – one that had thrust him into co-ownership of the all-time tournament goalscoring record – Messi had been gifted an opportunity to notch his 17th goal and stand atop the mountain alone. Calmly, coolly, he approached the ball. And then he missed the goal entirely. Continue reading...
— The Guardian Sportby Pablo Iglesias Maurer at Dallas Stadium

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