Lionel Messi sets new FIFA World Cup scoring record

DALLAS: Argentina star Lionel Messi has reportedly set a new record in FIFA World Cup history by becoming the tournament’s all-time leading goal scorer during a match against Austria in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Messi scored his 17th World Cup goal, surpassing Germany’s Miroslav Klose, who previously held the record with 16 goals.

The milestone came after Messi missed an early penalty in the match but later found the net in the 39th minute to give Argentina a 1–0 lead in the game being played in Dallas.

With the new tally, Klose moves to second place on the all-time list, while Brazil’s Ronaldo Nazário remains third with 15 goals. France’s Kylian Mbappé is fourth with 14 goals.

The achievement further cements Messi’s legacy as one of the most prolific scorers in World Cup history.

Meanwhile, if you are watching football’s biggest tournaments, you may have noticed that many of the game’s greatest stars including Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappé  often wear the iconic No. 10 jersey.

Unlike many other sports where jersey numbers are simply identifiers, in football the No. 10 carries a symbolic status associated with creativity, leadership and excellence.

The tradition of numbered jerseys in football is believed to have begun in 1911 in Australia, when players were first identified by numbers during matches. The practice later spread to Argentina in 1923, the United States in 1924 and England in 1928.

Initially, numbers were linked to specific playing positions on the field. The No. 10 shirt was typically assigned to the attacking midfielder or playmaker  the player responsible for creating goal-scoring opportunities and linking midfield play with attack.

Over time, this role became associated with the team’s most technically gifted and influential player, making the No. 10 shirt a symbol of excellence rather than just a position.

Legendary footballers such as Pelé and Diego Maradona helped elevate the number’s status by making it synonymous with brilliance on the pitch.

In modern football, the No. 10 is no longer strictly tied to a position, but it still represents a player who can score goals, create chances and influence the outcome of a match. However, experts note that wearing the number also brings added pressure and expectations rather than guaranteed success.