leads the scoring and extends his historical record

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July 7, 2026July 7, 2026By Mario Vásquez
leads the scoring and extends his historical record

When Argentina needed it most, Lionel Messi appeared again. In a match that seemed to escape against Egypt, the albiceleste captain led the reaction and kept his team’s dream in the World Cup alive.

The round of 16 duel was a limit test for the current champion. Egypt took a two-goal lead and put the team led by Lionel Scaloni on the ropes. However, the Argentine hierarchy emerged in the final stretch. Messi He scored with a key finish that reactivated his team and paved the way for a comeback that ended with the final 3-2.

Beyond the drama, Rosario’s goal had enormous statistical weight. With that note he came to eight goals in the 2026 World Cup and remains the leader of the scoring table, confirming that, at 39 years old, he continues to be the most decisive footballer in the tournament.

A record that continues to grow

The goal against Egypt also allowed him to extend a record that he already dominates alone. Messi reached 21 goals in the history of the World Cupsestablishing himself as the top scorer of all time in the competition.

His production is distributed over six editions: Germany 2006 (1), Brazil 2014 (4), Russia 2018 (1), Qatar 2022 (7) and the current 2026 World Cup, where he already has eight goals, his best record in a single World Cup.

Behind the Argentine captain other historical names appear. Kylian Mbappé is his closest pursuer with 19 goals, followed by Miroslav Klose (16), Ronaldo Nazário (15) and Gerd Müller next to Harry Kane (14).

The fight for the Golden Boot

Although Messi leads the scoring tablethe fight for Golden Boot still open.

Mbappé and Erling Haaland They follow closely with seven scores each, while Harry Kane add six. Further back, several players still have options to get closer as the knockout phases progress.

With Argentina already in the quarterfinals, Messi will have at least one more game to expand his legacy. Each goal reinforces his place in history and brings him closer to new individual recognition, without losing sight of the main objective: winning another world title.

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