Lionel Messi, at 39, has become the greatest World Cup goalscorer in history, achieving this milestone after a remarkable career resurgence. On June 22, 2026, he netted two goals in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria, surpassing Miroslav Klose's men’s record of 16 and Marta’s overall record of 17.
In 2016, after a string of near misses including four major final defeats with Argentina, Messi announced his retirement from international football but reconsidered shortly thereafter. He captained Argentina to the 2021 Copa America title, finally claiming a trophy after a 28-year drought, and led the team to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Messi's journey is distinguished: he opened the 2026 tournament with a hat-trick against Algeria, quickly putting Argentina in a strong position. His scoring legacy now includes being one of only three players to score in six consecutive World Cup matches, solidifying his place in history.
Messi’s achievements extend beyond the pitch, influencing the digital asset space through fan tokens and NFTs, though his recent successes in the World Cup haven’t linked to any major crypto initiatives.