‘Lionel Messi is no slouch’: Miroslav Klose’s stunning tribute after 'best of all time' breaks his World Cup record

Miroslav Klose, who held the record for more than a decade, had nothing but praise for Lionel Messi, hailing him as the greatest player he has ever seen.

Updated on: Jun 23, 2026, 12:58:51 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Lionel Messi continues to defy age and expectations at this FIFA World Cup, rewriting the record books as he approaches his 39th birthday. The Argentina captain has become the highest goalscorer in World Cup history, surpassing German legend Miroslav Klose, whose tally of 16 goals had stood since the 2014 tournament. Messi reached the landmark in style, following up his hat-trick against Algeria with a brace against Austria. His five goals in the opening two matches have taken his overall World Cup tally to 18 and placed him at the top of the scoring charts. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has been in outstanding form, once again proving why he remains one of the game's defining figures. Despite leaving European football for MLS in 2023, Messi has shown that his quality, influence and eye for goal remain as sharp as ever on the biggest stage.

Miroslav Klose’s epic reaction after World Cup record falls to Lionel Messi. (Reuters and X Images)

Former World Cup record-holder Klose was among the first to congratulate Messi after the Argentine surpassed his long-standing mark. The German great, who held the record for more than a decade, had nothing but praise for Messi, hailing him as the greatest player he has ever seen.

"I've always said Messi is no slouch," the 48-year-old said as quoted on Goal. "For me, Leo is the best footballer of all time! Congratulations, champion!".

Also Read - Lionel Messi reacts after missing penalty but still breaking World Cup record: ‘It was spectacular how it happened’

No stopping Lionel Messi

The eight-time Ballon D'Or winner, who turns 39 on Wednesday, had blown a chance to break the record after eight minutes when he dragged a penalty wide of the post in the Group J match.

Meanwhile, reflecting on the record-breaking night, Messi admitted that the way it unfolded made it even more memorable. After missing an early penalty that could have taken him past Klose's mark, the Argentine found the net twice from open play and joked that football can sometimes work in mysterious ways.

"The truth is that it is spectacular how it happened," Messi admitted when discussing the record. “Today I had the penalty that I could have increased the score with, but if I had made the penalty, perhaps I wouldn't have reached the other two either. You never know, but I'm happy with the result, the participation, and the work of the team," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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