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Lionel Messi sets World Cup record for career goals, leads Argentina past Austria
By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· June 23, 2026
· 1 min read
Lionel Messi became the top scorer in World Cup history on Monday, accounting for both goals in Argentina’s 2-0 victory against Austria in a Group J match.Read more trending newsMessi, 38, scored his 17th and 18th career World Cup goals to become the tournament’s all-time leading scorer after mis...
Key takeaway Read more trending newsMessi, 38, scored his 17th and 18th career World Cup goals to become the tournament’s all-time leading scorer after mis...
Why this matters in The Atlanta
While Lionel Messi's record-breaking performance in the World Cup may seem like an international story, it has significant implications for Atlanta 's soccer fans. As the home of Atlanta United, a professional soccer team with a strong following, the city's residents are likely to be closely watching Messi's progress in the tournament. The fact that Messi plays for Inter Miami, a team in the same league as Atlanta United, adds a layer of local interest to his achievements. Additionally, Atlanta has hosted several high-profile soccer matches in recent years, including international friendlies and tournament games, which has helped to grow the sport's popularity in the city. As Messi continues to break records and lead his team in the World Cup, Atlanta's soccer community is likely to be abuzz with excitement and pride.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Lionel Messi became the top scorer in World Cup history on Monday, accounting for both goals in Argentina’s 2-0 victory against Austria in a Group J match.Read more trending newsMessi, 38, scored his 17th and 18th career World Cup goals to become the tournament’s all-time leading scorer after mis...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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