Messi becomes World Cup all-time top scorer

Lionel Messi entered the World Cup quarterfinal stage as the tournament’s top story after moving to 21 career goals, a total BBC Sport said made him the competition’s all-time leading scorer. The Argentina captain has scored eight times in the 2026 tournament, according to FIFA and tournament coverage, as the defending champions reached the last eight. The Round of 16 ended on July 7, and the quarterfinals begin on July 9 with France facing Morocco in Boston. ### How did Messi reach the record before the quarterfinals began? Lionel Messi’s eight goals in five matches have powered Argentina’s run to the quarterfinals, FIFA said in a tournament update published on July 7. BBC Sport reported on July 9 that the total also lifted Messi to 21 World Cup goals overall, putting him alone at the top of the all-time scoring list after the Round of 16. (fifa.com) The 39-year-old forward opened Argentina’s campaign with a hat trick against Algeria and kept scoring through the knockout stage, according to match reports and tournament summaries. FIFA said Messi’s production has been central to Argentina’s attempt to retain the title it won in 2022. ### What does the number 21 represent in this tournament? The number 21 is Messi’s career total of World Cup goals, according to BBC Sport and other tournament coverage published this week. (fifa.com) FOX Sports also described Messi as standing alone in FIFA World Cup history on 21 goals after his latest score for Argentina. Eight is the more immediate figure inside this tournament. (fifa.com) FIFA said Messi has scored eight times in the 2026 edition, and beIN Sports published a running account of all eight goals on July 8 as Argentina prepared for the quarterfinals. ### Where does Argentina stand in the bracket now? Argentina reached the quarterfinals after the Round of 16 concluded on July 7, FIFA and tournament schedule pages showed. (foxsports.com) The last eight are now set, with quarterfinal matches running from July 9 to July 11 in the United States. (fifa.com) France and Morocco open the round on July 9 at Boston Stadium, according to FIFA’s match center. Yahoo Sports also reported there were no games on Wednesday before the quarterfinals began Thursday. ### Why is Messi still the central figure in Argentina’s run? FIFA said Messi’s eight goals have powered holders Argentina into the quarterfinals, tying the team’s progress directly to his scoring. (fifa.com) BBC Sport, in a separate report on Argentina’s tournament treatment, said Messi remained one of the defining figures of the competition as the bracket narrowed. (fifa.com) Argentina are also chasing consecutive World Cup titles. FIFA described the team as looking to repeat as champions, which gives added weight to Messi’s scoring record inside a live title defense. ### What happens next in the tournament? The quarterfinal stage begins on July 9 and continues through July 11, according to FIFA’s official schedule. France play Morocco first in Boston, and the remaining quarterfinal matchups are listed on FIFA’s tournament fixtures page as the field narrows from eight teams to four semifinalists. (fifa.com) Argentina’s next match will come in that quarterfinal round, with Messi carrying both the all-time scoring mark and the tournament lead in goals into the last eight. (fifa.com) FIFA’s schedule and match-center pages will carry the next confirmed fixture details. (fifa.com 1) (fifa.com 2)