Argentina captain Lionel Messi has once again etched his name into footballing immortality, prompting Guinness World Records (GWR) to highlight four historic milestones achieved during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The legendary forward put on a masterclass to inspire the defending champions to a thrilling 2-0 victory over Austria in their group stage encounter.
Despite the immense pressure of the tournament, Messi proved why he remains the undisputed centerpiece of Argentina’s lethal attack.
The maestro showed incredible resilience during the high-stakes match, bouncing back seamlessly after missing an uncharacteristic penalty earlier in the game to score both of his team’s goals and secure the vital three points.
In an official statement released on Monday, GWR confirmed that the talismanic forward had completely rewritten the tournament’s history books.
The four newly certified milestones achieved by Messi include: most FIFA World Cup goals (18), most matches played (28), most matches won by an individual (18), and the most minutes played in tournament history (2,489).
By netting his spectacular brace against Austria, the 38-year-old officially surpassed Germany’s Miroslav Klose, who had long held the prestigious record with 16 World Cup goals.
Acknowledging the magnitude of the achievement, Guinness World Records put it simply in their assessment: “We are witnessing history.”
Currently competing in his record-breaking sixth World Cup after making his tournament debut back in 2006, Messi continues to defy age and redefine longevity at the absolute zenith of international football.
As Argentina pushes to defend their global crown, their iconic captain continues to prove that his dominance on the world stage knows no bounds.
