Lionel Messi set a new record for the most goals scored in FIFA World Cup history during the 2022 tournament in Qatar. As of the end of that tournament, Messi has scored 13 goals in World Cup matches, surpassing the previous record of 12 goals held by multiple players, including Brazil's Pelé and Germany's Miroslav Klose.
Messi achieved this milestone during the 2022 World Cup final against France on December 18, 2022, where he scored two goals in the match. His total of 13 goals places him ahead of Klose (16 goals in World Cups, but the record for most goals overall is held by Klose with 16, not 12; the record for most goals by a single player in World Cup history is 16 by Klose, but Messi's 13 is the most by an active player and the most by a South American player).
Note: The previous record of 12 goals was held by Pelé (Brazil), but the all-time record for most World Cup goals is 16 by Miroslav Klose (Germany). Messi's 13 goals rank him fourth all-time, behind Klose (16), Ronaldo (15), and Gerd Müller (14).
