Lionel Messi Sets All-Time World Cup Goalscoring Record With 17th Strike

Lionel Messi has written another historic chapter in international football by becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in men's World Cup history, surpassing the long-standing record held by Germany's Miroslav Klose.

The Argentina captain achieved the historic feat after scoring his 17th career World Cup goal during his nation's group stage encounter against Austria.

Prior to the fixture, Messi sat level with Germany's Miroslav Klose, who established the previous tournament benchmark of 16 goals across four separate World Cup tournaments between 2002 and 2014.

Messi's strike against Austria moves him onto 17 individual World Cup goals, taking sole ownership of the most prestigious individual scoring record in international tournament football. The achievement marks yet another monumental pinnacle in the forward's illustrious international career leading the Albiceleste.

The milestone strike arrived on the group stage stage against Austria, adding another decisive tournament finish to Messi's expansive international record book for Argentina. Having featured across multiple editions of the global showpiece, the Argentina talisman's 17th finish firmly establishes a new high-water mark for future generations on the world stage.

Messi's collection of 17 World Cup goals represents decades of consistency at the absolute apex of the sport, having steadily climbed the historical leaderboard to finally overtake Klose's 16-goal total.