In a moment that will be etched in football eternity, Lionel Messi has officially become the greatest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history. The Argentine maestro scored twice in Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria at the Dallas Stadium, taking his career tally at the tournament to 18 goals and surpassing Germany legend Miroslav Klose’s long-standing record of 16.

Messi, who had equalled Klose’s mark with a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening match against Algeria, wasted little time in rewriting the record books. After missing an early penalty, the 38-year-old captain produced a moment of pure magic in the 38th minute, latching onto a pass from Facundo Medina and firing a clinical left-footed strike into the bottom corner. The stadium erupted as the 17th goal of his World Cup career crossed the line.

Not content with merely breaking the record, Messi added a second goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time, sealing the win and ensuring Argentina topped Group J with maximum points from two matches. The defending champions are now safely through to the knockout stages.

Speaking after the match, Messi described the achievement as “special,” while teammates and opponents alike hailed the living legend. “He’s the best,” one observer summed up the global sentiment as fans in Buenos Aires and around the world celebrated late into the night.

The brace also propelled Messi to the top of the 2026 Golden Boot race with five goals after just two games — a staggering pace that has pundits wondering how many more records the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner can claim before the tournament ends.

For Uganda’s football faithful, who have followed Messi’s career with passion for over two decades, this latest milestone is yet another reminder of why the diminutive genius is widely regarded as the greatest player to ever grace the pitch. As the World Cup 2026 continues to deliver drama, one thing is certain: whenever Messi takes the field, magic follows.