All of Lionel Messi’s FIFA World Cup goals
Having long proven himself as one of the best players and goalscorers in world football, Lionel Messi has more than made his mark when it comes to the FIFA World Cup, most notably leading Argentina to glory in 2022 with his goals playing a huge part in their success. In this article, we look back at every goal scored by Lionel Messi for Argentina up-to-and-including FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America.
Messi has scored 20 FIFA World Cup goals spanning six editions, including seven goals at FIFA World Cup 2022, with only Kylian Mbappe scoring more in that tournament. He has already equalled that tally at FIFA World Cup 2026 and as it stands, Messi is the leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history. Here is our analysis of all those goals he has scored for Argentina.
Last updated after his goal against Cabo Verde in the Round of 32 stage at FIFA World Cup 2026
Goal 1 – June 16, 2006 vs Serbia & Montenegro (FIFA World Cup 2006, Group Stage)
Lionel Messi’s first ever FIFA World Cup goal came as an 18-year-old making his first appearance in the competition. Coming off the bench for Argentina against Serbia & Montenegro in the group stage, Messi ran onto a through ball played by Carlos Tevez and took one touch to advance into the penalty area before producing a right-footed finish, making it 6-0 to Argentina.
Goal 2 – June 15, 2014 vs Bosnia-Herzegovina (FIFA World Cup 2014, Group Stage)
Almost eight years after his first FIFA World Cup goal, Messi finally doubled his tally in Brazil. Taking on Bosnia-Herzegovina in the FIFA World Cup 2014 group stage, Argentina were leading by a goal to nil before Messi doubled the lead in the 65th minute with a trademark goal.
Receiving the ball just inside the opposition half, Messi drove forward before playing a one-two with Gonzalo Higuain. Continuing his run forward, Messi glided past two Bosnian players before unleashing a left-footed strike from the edge of the penalty area, which bounced in off the post.
Goal 3 – June 21, 2014 vs IR Iran (FIFA World Cup 2014, Group Stage)
Messi’s second goal of FIFA World Cup 2014 came in Argentina’s second match of the group stage and proved a crucial one. In a frustrating contest for his side that saw Iran holding them to a goalless draw heading into second-half stoppage time, a moment of Messi magic won the game. Receiving the ball outside the box on the right-hand-side, his long-range corner nestled into the far corner.
Goal 4 – June 25, 2014 vs Nigeria (FIFA World Cup 2014, Group Stage)
Messi was on the spot to pounce with his fourth FIFA World Cup goal and third in the 2014 edition of the competition against Nigeria. As long-time international teammate Angel Di Maria struck the post, Messi was on hand to smash home the rebound, putting his side in front after just three minutes in Porto Alegre
Goal 5 – June 25, 2014 vs Nigeria (FIFA World Cup 2014, Group Stage)
Nigeria responded brilliantly to Messi’s opener, drawing level just a minute later. But the Super Eagles couldn’t keep Messi out of the game and he had Argentina back in front during first-half stoppage time. A stunning free-kick from well outside the box was the superstar’s first FIFA World Cup goal from a set-piece and his fourth goal of the FIFA World Cup 2014 group stage.
Goal 6 – June 26, 2018 vs Nigeria (FIFA World Cup 2018, Group Stage)
Argentina and Nigeria met again four years later, this time in the group of FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia. Their latest battle saw Messi become just the third Argentinian footballer to score in three FIFA World Cups after his 14th minute goal opened the scoring. A perfect lofted through ball from Evan Banega was latched onto by Messi, who advanced into the box and finished superbly on his right foot.
Goal 7 – November 22, 2022 vs Saudi Arabia (FIFA World Cup 2022, Group Stage)
Messi’s seventh FIFA World Cup goal and first of Argentina’s triumphant FIFA World Cup 2022 campaign is one he would probably rather forget. His first penalty at the tournament put Lionel Scaloni’s side in front against Saudi Arabia in their first group game, but the Green Falcons would go on to stage an incredible fightback in the second-half, ultimately stunning Messi and co by winning 1-2.
Goal 8 – November 26, 2022 vs Mexico (FIFA World Cup 2022, Group Stage)
Four days after that shock defeat, Messi and Argentina bounced back with a 2-0 win over Mexico. After a frustrating first half, Messi broke the deadline in the 64th minute with what was his fourth FIFA World Cup goal from outside the penalty area. Receiving the ball dead centre, Messi took one touch to compose himself and the second to rifle a low left-footed strike into the bottom corner. The accuracy was perfect, giving experienced Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa no chance.
Goal 9 – December 3, 2022 vs Australia (FIFA World Cup 2022, Round of 16)
For the third time in an Argentina game at FIFA World Cup 2022, Messi scored the first goal of the match, this time in the knockout stage for the very first time. This one was notable, coming on what was Messi’s 1000th professional football match against Australia.
From his own corner taken short, Messi powered into the box and after being laid off by Nicolas Otamendi, coolly side-footed home. Argentina were victorious by two goals to one, advancing to the quarter-finals.
Goal 10 – December 9, 2022 vs Netherlands (FIFA World Cup 2022, Quarter-Finals)
In what was a fairly bad-tempered affair but still a thriller, Messi doubled Argentina’s quarter-final lead against Netherlands with his second spot kick at FIFA World Cup 2022. However, a late comeback saw Netherlands tie things up at 2-2, eventually forcing a penalty shootout after extra time, with Messi scoring Argentina’s first in a 4-3 win to send them through to the last four.
Goal 11 – December 13, 2022 vs Croatia (FIFA World Cup 2022, Semi-Finals)
A fourth opening goal and third penalty for Messi in the semi-final of FIFA World Cup 2022 helped send Argentina on their way to the final. It was an emphatic penalty as well, right in the top corner to put his country ahead vs Croatia. In the end, Argentina came through the challenge comfortably, winning 3-0 to book a showdown against France.
Goal 12 – December 18, 2022 vs France (FIFA World Cup 2022, Final)
For the second consecutive Argentina game at FIFA World Cup 2022, it was Messi who drew first blood with a perfectly executed penalty, this time in the final, Argentina’s first since 2014. It was the 23rd minute against France when Argentina won the first of three spot kicks awarded over the course of this incredible final and the magic man Messi made no mistake, sending French captain Hugo Lloris the wrong way.
Goal 13 – December 18, 2022 vs France (FIFA World Cup 2022, Final)
With the scores level at 2-2 after normal time, another 30 minutes ensured and a few minutes into the second period of extra time, Messi was there again when his country needed him most. Following a brilliant save from Lloris to deny Lautaro Martinez, Messi poked home the rebound despite a desperate attempt to block the ball by Jules Kounde. The ball clearly crossed the line despite Kounde’s block coming before it had touched the net.
Messi wasn’t finished either, once again stepping up first and converting for Argentina in the resulting penalty shootout after Kylian Mbappe had made it 3-3 with an incredible hat-trick. Scaloni’s side held their nerve to win that shootout and lift their third FIFA World Cup.
Goal 14 – June 16, 2026 vs Algeria (FIFA World Cup 2026, Group Stage)
Exactly 20 years to the day of his first FIFA World Cup goal as an 18-year-old, Messi was back on the scoresheet in this famous competition, this time at age 38 as he opened the scoring for a fourth straight World Cup fixture featuring Argentina.
Algeria were the opponents for Argentina in their first group match as defending champions at FIFA World Cup 2026. Messi marked the occasion with a classic Messi goal, picking the ball up from outside the box and driving forward before bending the ball into the top corner.
Goal 15 – June 16, 2026 vs Algeria (FIFA World Cup 2026, Group Stage)
Messi recorded his second brace in FIFA World Cup history and drew level with Brazilian legend Ronaldo as the second-highest scorer in tournament history with his second goal against Algeria. This time it was with his right foot, scoring a rebound inside the area after Alexis Mac Allister's shot was saved. However, he wouldn't stay level with R9 for long.
Goal 16 – June 16, 2026 vs Algeria (FIFA World Cup 2026, Group Stage)
At 38 years old and in his 27th appearance, Lionel Messi recorded his first ever FIFA World Cup hat-trick, the oldest player in the history of the competition to do so. It was his sixth goal from outside the area across his FIFA World Cup career and second in this match alone. Algeria were powerless to stop the Argentinian genius, who was given far too much space centrally just outside the box, leading to another classic left-footed finish from Messi, this time in the opposite corner.
Goal 17 – June 22, 2026 vs Austria (FIFA World Cup 2026, Group Stage)
If ever there was an archetypal Messi goal, this was it. Playing a key role in the build-up play, Messi wandered towards the edge of the box as the ball was funnelled down the left-hand side. The number ten waited for the customary cut-back, which duly came from the boot of Facundo Medina and through the legs of Thiago Almada. After an earlier missed penalty, there was to be no mistake this time as Messi stroked the ball home to become the outright top scorer in FIFA World Cup history.
Goal 18 – June 22, 2026 vs Austria (FIFA World Cup 2026, Group Stage)
Not content with being one ahead of former top dog Miroslav Klose in the all-time list, Messi went two clear in the dying moments against Austria. This one was all about tenacity and persistence, with Messi's insatiable hunger for goals on display as he pounced on a loose ball following a blocked shot. Goal number 18 for the magic man.
Goal 19 – June 27, 2026 vs Jordan (FIFA World Cup 2026, Group Stage)
Goal number 19 for Messi at the FIFA World Cup was his second free-kick and first since 2014 against Nigeria. With the ball placed almost dead centre outside the box, Jordan keeper Yazeed Abulaila was forced to stay in the middle of the goal with Messi capable of striking the ball in either corner. He chose the goalkeeper's right-hand side, shooting low and into the net with Abulaila wrong footed and rooted to the spot.
Goal 20 – July 3, 2026 vs Cabo Verde (FIFA World Cup 2026, Round of 32)
Messi registered his seventh goal of FIFA World Cup 2026 and his 20th in the tournament's history against Cabo Verde in the first round of the knockout stage. Receiving a beautifully weighted lofted through ball from centre-back Lisandro Martinez deep inside the opposition penalty area, Messi took one touch to control and a second to finish, lifting the ball over 40-year-old Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha with his trademark left-foot.
Goal 21 – July 7, 2026 vs Egypt (FIFA World Cup 2026, Round of 16)
With Argentina's two goals down against Egypt in Atlanta and FIFA World Cup 2026 hopes hanging by a thread, Messi once again, stepped up when his country needed him most. After assisting Argentina's first goal, Messi popped up in the box and as the ball fell to him, he rifled home a left-footed half-volley to equalise with just seven minutes of normal time to play. It was Messi's eighth goal of FIFA World Cup 2026.
