How many goals does Messi have in the World Cup? See the updated total

Lionel Messi continues to expand his history in the World Cup. With the goals scored in the 2026 edition, played in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the Argentine reached 19 goals in World Cups and isolated himself as the greatest scorer in the history of the competition.

The star scored once in the 2006 World Cup, came up empty in 2010, scored four goals in 2014, scored one in 2018 and enjoyed his most brilliant campaign in 2022, when he scored seven goals and led Argentina to their third world championship.

In the 2026 World Cup, Messi maintained his high level. The number 10 scored a hat-trick on his debut against Algeria, scored two goals against Austria and scored again against Jordan, reaching 19 goals in World Cups. With the six goals scored in this edition, he is the top scorer in the current competition.

Messi's goals per edition of the World Cup

- 2006 (Germany): 1 goal
- 2010 (South Africa): 0 goals
- 2014 (Brazil): 4 goals
- 2018 (Russia): 1 goal
- 2022 (Qatar): 7 goals
- 2026 (USA, Canada and Mexico): 6 goals

In addition to the historic goalscorer, Messi also extended other records in 2026. The Argentine became the first player to play in six editions of the World Cup, a mark reached by Cristiano Ronaldo shortly afterwards, and also set the mark of seven consecutive matches scoring goals in World Cups, adding the last games of 2022 and the first three of the 2026 group stage.

Greatest scorers in World Cup history

- Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 19 goals
- Kylian Mbappé (France) - 18 goals
- Miroslav Klose (Germany) - 16 goals
- Ronaldo (Brazil) - 15 goals
- Gerd Müller (Germany) - 14 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the first player to score in six World Cups

Source: CNN