Two men. Six World Cups each. One debate the world can't stop having.
But this week, history was written twice.
Today — June 24, 2026 — Lionel Messi turns 39. He's celebrating with the all-time World Cup scoring record: 18 goals across six tournaments, surpassing Miroslav Klose (men's, 16) and Marta (women's, 17). The greatest birthday gift in football history.
Messi surpassed Klose's men's record (16) and Marta's all-record (17) in the same brace vs Austria (June 22). He now holds the greatest individual scoring record across all FIFA World Cups — men's and women's combined.
No player in history has ever scored at six World Cups — until June 23, 2026. Ronaldo's brace vs Uzbekistan (Portugal won 5-0) made him the first and only: 2006 · 2010 · 2014 · 2018 · 2022 · 2026.
At 41 years and 138 days, only Roger Milla (42y 39d, Cameroon 1994) has scored at a World Cup at an older age. Ronaldo scored twice. Critics said he was done — he answered with a brace in a 5-0 win.
Hat-trick vs Algeria (June 16). Brace vs Austria (June 22). Messi is the WC2026 top scorer and Argentina — the defending world champions — are through to the knockout rounds with their captain in devastating form at 39.
Compare any two WC2026 nations or players side by side. Stats, history, simulation. Download free and settle it yourself.