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The records that look set to be broken

Cup goals record? Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball for the best player at the 2022 World

Magnificent Messi makes history, breaks all-time World Cup scoring record

World Cup scoring record ![Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates after scoring his team's first goal

Messi breaks World Cup’s all-time scoring record with 17th goal vs Austria

Cup’s all-time scoring record with 17th goal vs Austria Lionel Messi has broken the record for the highest number of goals in the history of the FIFA World

Messi becomes World Cup all-time leading scorer - how has he stayed at the top?

Messi's record-breaking 17 World Cup goals **When Lionel Messi swept home a trademark

From retirement to records - another immortal Messi moment

Messi's record-breaking 18 World Cup goals **In 2016, Lionel Messi retired from international

Which France and World Cup records did Mbappe break against Senegal?

Lionel Messi with 13 World Cup goals. Mbappe posted on social media soon after the record

Haaland scores two as Norway beat Senegal 3-2, enter World Cup knockouts

goals in two games at the tournament, hot on the heels of Lionel Messi’s double earlier in the day, which carried him to a [record 18 World Cup

Mbappe leads France to win over Iraq in lightning-delayed World Cup tie

record-holder Miroslav Klose. Earlier on Monday, Lionel Messi set a new benchmark of 18 career World Cup ⁠goals

World Cup 2026: Key takeaways from the opening group stage matches

Lionel Messi would be gearing himself up for his final act. But after his [first-ever World Cup hat-trick](/sports/2026/6/17/lionel-messi-rewrites-history-books-at-record-sixth-world-cup) – one that also matched the record for most World Cup goals

Lionel Messi rewrites history books at record sixth World Cup

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates scoring their second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match against Algeria in Kansas City, Missouri, US, on June 16, 2026 [Amy Kontras/EPA] Messi’s first goal

Canada vs Qatar World Cup: 3 goals for David, 2 red cards, 1 injured Kone

goal [Fran Santiago/Getty Images via AFP] ## ‘Tough to focus’ David’s was the 56th hat-trick scored at a men’s World Cup and the second of the 2026 edition. Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi earned

Wednesday briefing: In a new era of far-right organising, how can we tackle hate?

World Cup 2026  Kylian Mbappé was, in his coach’s words

Which European nation has the best chance to win World Cup 2026?

goals in eight consecutive wins – can consider breaching the last 16 for the first time. ## ⚽️ PORTUGAL **World Cup appearances:** 9 (1966, 1986, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026) **Best finish:** Third place **Overall World

A Golden Boot race for the ages - but who will come out on top?

Lionel Messi leads the way with five goals from two games. Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are second in the standings with four goals each. This is only the second time in World Cup history

Last one, the best one? How Lionel Messi keeps doing it at the World Cup

Messi broke the record for the highest number of goals in the history of the World Cup after scoring his team’s opening goal in their Group J match against Austria on Monday. He then

Extraordinary Messi makes more history in masterclass for the ages

Lionel Messi still took top billing.** Hours after France's Kylian [Mbappe](/sport/football/articles/c62lp6xx6zdo) and Norway's Erling [Haaland](/sport/football/articles/ce8k20n9z9ro) had lit up the World Cup with two goals each, the stage was set. But this

Messi comes off the bench to score in Argentina’s final World Cup warm-up

goal of his career. With his World Cup status seemingly certain, Messi is set to set a record this month [alongside Cristiano Ronaldo](/sports/2026/6/4/ronaldo-messi-at-world-cup-who-else-is-playing-their-final-tournament) when he appears in his sixth career World Cup. ## Experimental lineup

Ronaldo in Portugal squad for record sixth World Cup

record for all-time international appearances (226) and goals (143), is one of six players to have played in five World Cups. That group includes his former La Liga rival Lionel Messi

The anatomy of a Golden Boot winner - and who could win it in 2026?

Lionel Messi's tally by just one goal. The record for the youngest player to claim the Golden Boot - which 18-year-old Lamine Yamal might have eyes on - is held by Hungarian Florian Albert

Ronaldo, Messi at World Cup: Who else is playing their final tournament?

Messi at World Cup: Who else is playing their final tournament? The [FIFA World Cup 2026](/fifa-world-cup-2026) could be the final act for some of football’s finest talents. Although some of this tournament