• Lionel Messi scores his 17th World Cup goal, setting a new record.
• The Argentine captain excelled with four goals in the current tournament.
• Messi surpasses Miroslav Klose’s record and equals Brazilian Marta’s all-time tally.

Lionel Messi made history on June 22, becoming the all-time leading scorer in men's World Cup history by netting his 17th goal during Argentina's match against Austria. Messi scored first in the 38th minute as he guided a low cross into the bottom corner, igniting cheers from the crowd in Arlington, Texas. His latest goal caps off a remarkable tournament for Messi, who also scored a hat-trick in their opening game against Algeria, bringing his total to four goals for the current World Cup edition, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Messi's 17 goals span across six World Cups, eclipsing Miroslav Klose's previous record of 16 and equalling Brazilian Marta's all-time tally at the women's tournament. Despite some personal challenges, such as a hamstring issue and family health concerns, Messi's presence remains pivotal for his team's morale. Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister emphasized Messi's importance, stating, "If anyone thought this group was better off without Leo, today it became clear that Leo is the most important of them all," according to Le Monde and NPR.

With Messi's performance, Argentina has advanced to the knockout stage of the tournament. His significant contributions highlight his status as a driving force in the team, capable of inspiring and elevating his peers on the global soccer stage, according to Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Le Monde.