Former Germany striker Miroslav Klose has congratulated Lionel Messi after the Argentine superstar officially surpassed his long-standing record to become the all-time highest goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history, marking a historic shift at the summit of football’s greatest tournament.
Klose, who previously held the record with 16 World Cup goals, praised Messi for achieving the milestone in style after a decisive performance against Austria, where the Argentine captain scored twice to take his total to 18 goals and secure his place alone at the top of the all-time scoring chart.
The German legend, widely respected for his humility and sportsmanship, described Messi as the greatest footballer of all time and expressed pride that his record was broken by a player of such extraordinary quality.
Klose Shows Respect as Record Is Broken
Klose was quick to acknowledge the moment after watching his record fall during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The former Bayern Munich and Lazio striker said he always expected the milestone to be broken eventually and was pleased it came through a player he deeply admires.
According to Klose, Messi represents the highest level of football excellence, and his achievement simply reflects years of consistency at the top level of the game.
The German, who scored 16 World Cup goals between 2002 and 2014, had held the record for more than a decade after surpassing Ronaldo Nazario during the 2014 tournament in Brazil. His legacy as one of the most clinical finishers in World Cup history remains intact despite losing the top spot.
Record Breaking Performance Against Austria
Messi entered the match against Austria already level with Klose’s record following a stunning hat trick in Argentina’s opening 3–0 win over Algeria. The stage was set in Dallas for a new chapter in World Cup history, and the Argentine captain delivered once again.
The breakthrough came in the 38th minute when Messi scored his 17th World Cup goal, moving ahead of Klose and setting a new outright record. The moment was met with celebration from teammates and fans as Argentina took control of the match.
He later added a second goal in the dying moments of the game, extending his tally to 18 World Cup goals and sealing a 2–0 victory for the defending champions.
The result also confirmed Argentina’s qualification for the knockout stage with a game to spare, underlining their strong start to the tournament.
Early Setback and Response
Despite the historic outcome, the match did not begin smoothly for the Argentine captain. In the ninth minute, Argentina were awarded a penalty, giving Messi an early opportunity to open the scoring.
However, he unexpectedly missed the spot kick, sending the ball off target in a rare lapse of precision. The miss briefly shifted momentum, but Messi responded with composure, refusing to let the setback define his performance.
Speaking after the match, he admitted the missed penalty could have changed the flow of the game, but he remained focused on contributing to the team’s success.
His resilience proved decisive as he went on to score twice and deliver a match winning performance.
Argentina Continue Title Defence
The victory keeps Argentina firmly on track in their bid to defend the World Cup title they won in 2022. With two wins from their opening matches, Lionel Scaloni’s side have already secured progression to the next round and remain among the strongest contenders for the trophy.
Messi emphasized after the match that team success remains the priority over individual records, highlighting the importance of consistency and focus in a tightly contested tournament.
Argentina’s attacking depth, combined with their experience on the global stage, continues to position them as one of the favorites for the title.
A Historic Shift in World Cup Legacy
The new record marks a defining moment in FIFA World Cup history. Messi’s rise to the top of the scoring charts reflects not only his longevity but also his ability to perform in crucial matches across multiple tournaments spanning two decades.
From his early appearances as a teenager to his leadership role in later editions, Messi’s World Cup journey has become one of the most remarkable in football history.
Klose’s previous record had stood as a benchmark for excellence, built on consistency and efficiency in front of goal. His recognition of Messi’s achievement has added further respect to the moment, highlighting the mutual admiration between two football greats.
The New All-Time Leader
With 18 goals in 28 World Cup appearances, Messi now stands alone as the highest scorer in the competition’s history. His scoring record spans six editions of the tournament, demonstrating sustained performance at the highest level of international football.
He now leads a prestigious list that includes Kylian Mbappe, Ronaldo Nazario, Gerd Muller, Just Fontaine and Pele, all of whom shaped different eras of World Cup history.
Mbappe remains the closest active challenger with 16 goals, ensuring that the race for World Cup scoring supremacy may continue in future tournaments.
Miroslav KloseMiroslav Klose Congratulates New FIFA World Cup All-Time Top Scorer After Historic Record Break
Former Germany striker Miroslav Klose has congratulated Lionel Messi after the Argentine superstar officially surpassed his long-standing record to become the all-time highest goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history, marking a historic shift at the summit of football’s greatest tournament.
Klose, who previously held the record with 16 World Cup goals, praised Messi for achieving the milestone in style after a decisive performance against Austria, where the Argentine captain scored twice to take his total to 18 goals and secure his place alone at the top of the all-time scoring chart.
The German legend, widely respected for his humility and sportsmanship, described Messi as the greatest footballer of all time and expressed pride that his record was broken by a player of such extraordinary quality.
Klose Shows Respect as Record Is Broken
Klose was quick to acknowledge the moment after watching his record fall during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The former Bayern Munich and Lazio striker said he always expected the milestone to be broken eventually and was pleased it came through a player he deeply admires.
According to Klose, Messi represents the highest level of football excellence, and his achievement simply reflects years of consistency at the top level of the game.
The German, who scored 16 World Cup goals between 2002 and 2014, had held the record for more than a decade after surpassing Ronaldo Nazario during the 2014 tournament in Brazil. His legacy as one of the most clinical finishers in World Cup history remains intact despite losing the top spot.
Record Breaking Performance Against Austria
Messi entered the match against Austria already level with Klose’s record following a stunning hat trick in Argentina’s opening 3–0 win over Algeria. The stage was set in Dallas for a new chapter in World Cup history, and the Argentine captain delivered once again.
The breakthrough came in the 38th minute when Messi scored his 17th World Cup goal, moving ahead of Klose and setting a new outright record. The moment was met with celebration from teammates and fans as Argentina took control of the match.
He later added a second goal in the dying moments of the game, extending his tally to 18 World Cup goals and sealing a 2–0 victory for the defending champions.
The result also confirmed Argentina’s qualification for the knockout stage with a game to spare, underlining their strong start to the tournament.
Early Setback and Response
Despite the historic outcome, the match did not begin smoothly for the Argentine captain. In the ninth minute, Argentina were awarded a penalty, giving Messi an early opportunity to open the scoring.
However, he unexpectedly missed the spot kick, sending the ball off target in a rare lapse of precision. The miss briefly shifted momentum, but Messi responded with composure, refusing to let the setback define his performance.
Speaking after the match, he admitted the missed penalty could have changed the flow of the game, but he remained focused on contributing to the team’s success.
His resilience proved decisive as he went on to score twice and deliver a match winning performance.
Argentina Continue Title Defence
The victory keeps Argentina firmly on track in their bid to defend the World Cup title they won in 2022. With two wins from their opening matches, Lionel Scaloni’s side have already secured progression to the next round and remain among the strongest contenders for the trophy.
Messi emphasized after the match that team success remains the priority over individual records, highlighting the importance of consistency and focus in a tightly contested tournament.
Argentina’s attacking depth, combined with their experience on the global stage, continues to position them as one of the favorites for the title.
A Historic Shift in World Cup Legacy
The new record marks a defining moment in FIFA World Cup history. Messi’s rise to the top of the scoring charts reflects not only his longevity but also his ability to perform in crucial matches across multiple tournaments spanning two decades.
From his early appearances as a teenager to his leadership role in later editions, Messi’s World Cup journey has become one of the most remarkable in football history.
Klose’s previous record had stood as a benchmark for excellence, built on consistency and efficiency in front of goal. His recognition of Messi’s achievement has added further respect to the moment, highlighting the mutual admiration between two football greats.
The New All-Time Leader
With 18 goals in 28 World Cup appearances, Messi now stands alone as the highest scorer in the competition’s history. His scoring record spans six editions of the tournament, demonstrating sustained performance at the highest level of international football.
He now leads a prestigious list that includes Kylian Mbappe, Ronaldo Nazario, Gerd Muller, Just Fontaine and Pele, all of whom shaped different eras of World Cup history.
Mbappe remains the closest active challenger with 16 goals, ensuring that the race for World Cup scoring supremacy may continue in future tournaments.
Conclusion
Miroslav Klose’s gracious reaction and Lionel Messi’s record breaking performance have combined to create one of the defining moments of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The transition of the all-time scoring crown symbolizes both respect between generations and the continuous evolution of football greatness on the world stage.
As Argentina continue their title defence, Messi’s new record adds another historic layer to a career already filled with extraordinary achievements.
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Lionel Messi World Cup record, Miroslav Klose goal record, FIFA World Cup top scorer, Messi 18 World Cup goals, Argentina vs Austria World Cup, Kylian Mbappe goals, Ronaldo Nazario World Cup record, World Cup 2026 news, Argentina national team, Klose Messi congratulations, World Cup scoring history, football records FIFA, Messi penalty miss, Argentina knockout stage, football news today, World Cup goals chart, international football news, GOAL style report, World Cup statistics, football legends history’s gracious reaction and Lionel Messi’s record breaking performance have combined to create one of the defining moments of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The transition of the all-time scoring crown symbolizes both respect between generations and the continuous evolution of football greatness on the world stage.
As Argentina continue their title defence, Messi’s new record adds another historic layer to a career already filled with extraordinary achievements.
