Top News

Not only is Lionel Messi Argentina’s all-time leading goal scorer, but he has also netted more goals in the FIFA World Cup for his nation than any other player – surpassing even the legendary Diego Maradona.

With his recent hat-trick against Algeria, Messi has now matched Miroslav Klose’s record for the most goals scored in the history of the tournament.

Messi’s first World Cup goal came as a teenager back in 2006, and he later cemented his legacy in World Cup folklore by scoring twice in Argentina’s dramatic penalty shootout victory over France in the Qatar 2022 final.

Here’s our complete ranking of all 16 of Messi’s World Cup goals.

Messi’s first penalty in Qatar 2022 was executed with trademark calmness just nine minutes into the match. He deceived Mohammed Al Owais with a glance before coolly slotting the ball past him. No one could have predicted the drama that would unfold in that tournament.

Using a different technique from his spot-kick against Saudi Arabia, Messi appeared completely unfazed despite missing his previous penalty against Poland. With a precise and emphatic strike, he doubled Argentina’s advantage in the quarter-final against the Netherlands, before converting again in the subsequent shootout that same night.

Back in 2012, Messi had missed a crucial penalty in the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea, a miss that contributed to Barcelona’s exit to the ten-man English side. Yet, none of that seemed to weigh on him when he stepped up against Croatia in the 2022 World Cup semi-final. Facing Dominik Livakovic, one of the standout goalkeepers of the tournament, Messi fired a stunning effort into the top corner that was simply unsaveable.

Under immense pressure, Messi opened the scoring with a near-perfect strike. “Officially unstoppable,” remarked Ally McCoist — quite right, too.

Messi’s fourth penalty of the Qatar 2022 campaign – and third in consecutive knockout matches – came on the biggest stage of all, the World Cup final. There was never any doubt about the outcome.

Then came what could have been the winning goal, scored in extra time of the World Cup final. As he has done countless times in his career, Messi found himself in the right place at the right moment, demonstrating once more his unmatched reading of the game.

A mistake by goalkeeper Luca Zidane (yes, the son of Zinedine Zidane) was ruthlessly punished by Messi, who pounced to score his second goal of the game. Have some of that.

Messi’s first-ever World Cup goal, scored at just 18 years of age, made him the youngest Argentine to find the net in the competition. Cheered on by a smiling Diego Maradona from the stands, Messi announced himself to the world by scoring and assisting in the same match.

Messi had already seen one effort disallowed before unleashing a thunderous strike within 17 minutes of his first game at the 2026 finals. Luca Zidane managed to get two hands on it but could not stop the sheer power of the shot. A statement of intent if ever there was one.

This was vintage Barcelona-era Messi — the trademark dribble and finish. Increíble.

Australia had defended valiantly against Argentina in their Round of 16 clash, but one momentary lapse was all Messi needed. He drifted into the box, capitalised on a heavy touch from Nicolas Otamendi, and with a perfectly weighted first touch, calmly placed the ball into the corner of the net.

Messi completed his hat-trick against Algeria in spectacular fashion, sweeping home a left-footed finish that epitomised the phrase “rolling back the years.”

Argentina were in desperate need of inspiration, facing the threat of an early group-stage elimination after a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia and a lacklustre first half against Mexico. Their talisman stepped up when it mattered most, breaking the deadlock with a moment of brilliance. Pablo Aimar’s emotional reaction on the bench said it all, and the aerial replay only emphasised the sheer quality of the strike. How could anyone stop that?

Messi’s only World Cup free-kick to date was an absolute gem. “The guy is so good… and I’m s–t,” joked Nigeria’s goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama to the referee afterwards, pleading that Messi be denied any more free-kick opportunities.

At first glance, this goal may not appear extraordinary, but the slow-motion replay reveals the artistry of a footballing genius at his peak. Perhaps not quite at the level of Dennis Bergkamp’s legendary World Cup goal, but honestly, not too far off.

In the dying moments of regulation time against Iran, who had defended with unwavering commitment, Messi picked up the ball with every opposing player between him and the goal. Yet, as always, he found a way.

Jonathan Pearce’s commentary captured the moment perfectly: “Messi. Give it to him and pray…”