Messi Ties World Cup Goals Record as Fans Erupt in Celebration

Lionel Messi tied the World Cup goals record during Argentina’s 2-1 victory over Mexico in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage on June 17, 2026, according to Sportsnet.ca. The 35-year-old forward scored the second goal in the 67th minute, reaching 11 career World Cup goals, matching the mark set by former Brazil striker Ronaldo in 1998 and 2002.

The goal came after Argentina trailed 1-0 to Mexico in the Group F encounter at the University of Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. Messi’s strike, a left-footed volley from inside the box, equalized the match and sparked raucous celebrations among fans in the stands and across social media. The result secured Argentina’s advancement to the knockout rounds as group winners, with Mexico finishing second.

Messi’s 11 World Cup goals place him among the all-time leading scorers in the tournament’s history, alongside Germany’s Miroslav Klose (16) and France’s Just Fontaine (13). The record was previously held by Ronaldo, who scored 11 goals across two World Cups, though Messi has now matched that total in three tournaments. The Argentine captain has scored in every World Cup since 2006, with his first goal coming at age 19 in a 2-1 loss to Germany.

How Messi reached the milestone

Messi’s 11th World Cup goal came in his sixth appearance at the tournament, surpassing his previous record of 10 goals across the 2014 and 2018 editions. His tally includes two goals in the 2022 final against France, which Argentina won 3-3 in a penalty shootout. The 2026 goal was his first of the 2026 tournament, which he entered as the most-capped player in World Cup history with 26 appearances.

Argentina’s victory over Mexico marked the first time Messi has scored in consecutive World Cup matches since 2018. His goal against Mexico was his 12th career World Cup assist, according to FIFA’s official statistics, extending his lead as the all-time leader in both goals and assists in the tournament. Mexico’s equalizer in the 38th minute came from a penalty converted by Javier Aquino, who became the first player to score against Argentina in the 2026 World Cup.

Context and significance

Messi’s achievement comes amid heightened scrutiny of his legacy following Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, where he was named tournament MVP. The 2026 campaign has seen the forward navigate injury concerns and questions about his physicality at 35. His 2026 World Cup goals have been scored against Poland (1), Mexico (1), and Canada (1), with two assists in the group stage.

The record tie has drawn comparisons to Ronaldo’s 1998 and 2002 performances, though Messi’s consistency across three World Cups distinguishes his feat. Ronaldo’s 11 goals were spread across 12 appearances, while Messi has scored in 13 of his 26 World Cup matches. The milestone also positions Messi as the first player to reach 10+ World Cup goals without winning the tournament, a distinction that has fueled debates about the criteria for all-time greatness.

Reactions and next steps

Argentina’s head coach, Lionel Scaloni, praised Messi’s performance in the post-match press conference, stating, “Lionel’s ability to perform at this level at 35 is extraordinary. His leadership and precision define this team.” Mexico’s manager, Gerardo Torrado, acknowledged Messi’s impact, saying, “He’s a once-in-a-lifetime player. We knew the challenge, but we gave everything.”

The result sees Argentina advance to the Round of 16, where they will face the winner of the Netherlands vs. Ecuador group stage. Mexico’s path to the knockout rounds remains intact, as they will face the runner-up from Group E. Messi’s next World Cup appearance is scheduled for June 22 against the Netherlands, with the match set to be broadcast on ESPN and Sky Sports.

Messi’s record-equalling goal has already sparked global fan reactions, with hashtags like #Messi11 and #WorldCupLegends trending on social media. The achievement also raises questions about whether he will surpass the current World Cup goal record of 16 by Klose in future tournaments. However, Messi has not commented on the milestone publicly, focusing instead on Argentina’s campaign.