Messi’s 18 World Cup Goals: A 38-Year-Old Legend Breaks All Records

In the rare moments when sports statistics transform into pure poetry, the world stops to watch. Lionel Messi reached that pinnacle last Monday in Arlington, Texas, and the entire globe turned its attention to his performance.

With a perfectly curled left-foot finish in the 38th minute against Austria, followed by a gritty, determined rebound goal deep in stoppage time, Messi became the highest goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history. This record is not just for men; it stands as the highest for anyone, male or female. His 17th and 18th tournament goals propelled him past Germany legend Miroslav Klose, Brazil’s women’s icon Marta, and into territory no player has ever occupied before.

He is 38 years old. He is achieving this right now.

• Record-Breaking Run: The streak began before many fans settled into their viewing routines. In Argentina’s opener against Algeria on June 16, Messi scored his first-ever World Cup hat-trick, tying Klose’s record of 16 goals.
• Oldest Hat-Trick Scorer: At 38 years and 357 days, Messi became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in World Cup history, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo who was 33 when he scored in 2018.
• Dramatic Comeback: Six days later against Austria, he missed a penalty in the ninth minute but responded with two goals, including a curled finish from a cutback in the 38th minute, to reach 18 total goals.
• Unmatched Total: Five goals in two games and 18 across six World Cups make this record his permanently.

To understand the magnitude of Messi’s achievement, consider the career that led here. He scored his first World Cup goal on June 16, 2006, at just 18 years old against Serbia and Montenegro. Twenty years later, he remains the first player to appear in six different men’s World Cup editions.

Messi is also the second man to score four or more goals in three different World Cup tournaments, after Miroslav Klose. Remarkably, he has joined Roger Milla as the only men to score four or more goals in a single World Cup while aged 38 or older.

His teammates have lost their words. After the Austria win, midfielder Alexis Mac Allister stated, “If anyone thought this group was better off without Leo, today it became clear that Leo is the most important of them all”.

The record may not remain safe for long. Kylian Mbappé currently holds 16 career World Cup goals, sitting second all-time behind Messi’s 18. The French captain is still in this tournament, and with France as genuine contenders, the gap could narrow quickly.

For now, Messi leads, and the question remains how many more he can add before his final World Cup concludes.

Beyond the spectacle, Canadian soccer fans have a practical reason to watch Messi’s form: Argentina are potential opponents deep in this tournament. The defending world champions have won all group matches, conceded zero goals, and look like the team to beat.

If Canada advances through the round of 32 and beyond, Messi and Argentina could be waiting. Understanding what they face—a 38-year-old playing the soccer of his life, surrounded by world-class talent—is not just interesting but essential.

Watch tonight’s Argentina vs. Jordan at 10 p.m. ET on TSN. Messi will almost certainly be on the pitch. If recent form is any guide, history may be made again.