NewzVille Desk
Lionel Messi became FIFA Word Cup’s all-time top scorer during Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria in Group J match played at Arlington, Texas.
Messi forgot missing an earlier penalty by beating Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager late in the first half with a first-time left-foot finish for his 17th World Cup goal, surpassing former German striker Miroslav Klose as the tournament’s overall leading scorer.
The Argentina captain rounded off his record-breaking display by sealing victory with a second strike in stoppage time, following up Julian Alvarez’s shot to take his total tally in the global event to 18.
Messi also leads the scoring charts at this World Cup with five goals following his stunning hat-trick in the holders’ opening game against Algeria.
Klose held the title of the World Cup’s record scorer for 12 years, netting at every finals between 2002 and 2014. Speaking prior to the tournament, and in anticipation of Messi breaking his record, Klose told FIFA: “Messi is simply Messi. I’ve always admired the way he solved problems and the way he carried himself as a person, even on the pitch.”
“He always brought his team to life. In 2006 he was on the bench and Juan Roman Riquelme played, until Messi was given that trust. What he then made of football, and the way he did it, I take my hat off to that. Huge compliment!”
“I’ve always been a Messi fan, and now that he’s standing in front of me, I have to say: that’s not too bad either!”
Messi who turns 39 on Wednesday 24 June, has played in a joint-record six editions of the World Cup, scoring at five of those, with his first goal at the tournament coming against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006.
However, he was unable to select his favourite of the 18 strikes.
Messi said: “I don’t know, to be honest, I can’t remember right now,” “I’m tired, I’m running low on energy, and I’m finding it hard to think, so anyway, I’m just going to enjoy this moment, and I’m looking forward to celebrating with my team-mates.”
