Lionel Messi reached 17 World Cup match victories on 17 June during Argentina's 3:0 victory over Algeria, equalling Germany's Miroslav Klose's all-time record for most tournament wins. The achievement marks another historic milestone in Messi's World Cup career spanning six tournaments.
By reaching 17 wins, Messi surpassed Brazil legend Cafu, who holds 16 World Cup match victories. Messi's consistent contribution to Argentina's tournament success now represents the most match wins by any player in the competition's history, shared with Klose.
The statistic underscores Messi's longevity and his vital role in Argentina's success across multiple World Cup campaigns, culminating in the 2022 championship victory. His presence remains central to Argentina's Group J advancement.