In data: How Messi became the World Cup’s top scorer

Lionel Messi became the highest goalscorer in the men’s World Cup after a brace in Argentina’s second group -stage match against Austria. However, the achievement masks a major trough in the legend’s World Cup record, but he also more than made up for it in the last two editions of the tournament.
Messi matched German Miroslav Klose’s long-standing record of 16 goals after he scored his first World Cup hat trick in Argentina’s opening clash against Algeria on June 16. Then, he went two ahead after another brace against Austria.