The update says Messi scored all three goals in Argentina’s reported 3-0 victory over Algeria, taking him to the top of the men’s World Cup scoring list alongside Klose.
Another goal against Austria would move Messi to 17 World Cup goals and make him the outright record holder. The report also says he has scored in his last five World Cup appearances, meaning a goal on Monday would extend that sequence to six matches.
That run gives the record chase extra weight. Messi is not simply approaching Klose’s mark; he is doing so while maintaining a scoring rhythm that has defined several stages of his international career.
The broader scoring contest is also developing around Kylian Mbappé. The report says the France forward has 14 World Cup goals after scoring twice against Senegal.
That leaves Mbappé only two goals behind Messi and Klose, despite having reached the mark in his third World Cup. His position means Messi’s potential breakthrough may not settle the record conversation for long.
Mbappé’s challenge is not the immediate focus in Texas, but every goal in the tournament could reshape the hierarchy again.
For Argentina, the priority remains Austria, but Messi’s scoring form has turned the fixture into a potential landmark occasion. A goal would combine a decisive tournament contribution with a record that has stood as one of the sport’s most recognisable benchmarks.
The next storyline is clear: whether Messi can convert his latest opportunity, and whether Mbappé can keep the gap narrow enough to make the race last beyond this round.