Ageless greatness: Four records Lionel Messi has broken during the 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Lionel Messi has spent his entire career breaking records and, even at the age of 39, is showing no signs of slowing that trend.

Messi's magnificent start to the 2026World Cup has propelled Argentina into the knockout rounds, and added a few more records to his ever-growing collection.

Here are someWorld Cup records that Messi has broken during the group stage.

Most goals in World Cup history

The big one.

Messi has not just taken Miroslav Klose's goal record, but blitzed past it in style. The Argentinean icon began the tournament trailing Klose by three goals, and hit a hat-trick against Algeria in the opening fixture to equal the German's mark.

Just days later, he scored twice in a 2-0 win over Austria totake the record outright, before scoring his 19th World Cup goal off the bench against Jordan. He's scored six times in three games, taking an early lead in the Golden Boot race.

Messi scored only six World Cup goals during his first four tournaments, but now has 13 in his last 10 games over the 2022 and 2026 tournaments.

Oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick

Messi's hat-trick in Argentina's opening win over Algeria also set a new record.

At 38 years and 357 days, he took Cristiano Ronaldo's record (33 Years and 130 days) as the oldest treble scorer in World Cup history.

Most goals from outside the box in World Cup history

Messi has scored almost a third of his World Cup goals from outside the penalty area. TheInter Miami star's free-kick against Jordan this week was his sixth strike from outside the box across his World Cup career. In the process, he surpassed Brazil legend Rivelino’s record.

First player to score in seven consecutive World Cup games

After netting in all three group games during the 2026 tournament, Messi has now scored in seven straight World Cup games.

He netted in each knockout round as Argentina won the 2022 tournament, before stretching his run of consecutive World Cup games with a goal to seven in North America. No other player has ever managed that feat.