Messi's record 18 World Cup goals cement longevity, redefine greatness (opens original article in a new tab)

Lionel Messi became the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer with 18 goals after scoring twice against Austria, surpassing previous records and cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in soccer history.

• Messi scored twice against Austria, making him the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer with 18 goals.
• Messi surpassed Marta and Miroslav Klose's previous records, becoming the first player to score in the World Cup as a teenager, in his 20s, and in his 30s.
• Messi has 201 appearances for Argentina, the most-capped player, and 122 goals, the all-time leading scorer for his country.