Marta responded with three clapping emojis on Instagram after Lionel Messi surpassed her all-time FIFA World Cup scoring record.
The Argentina captain scored twice in a 2-0 win over Austria, pushing his career tournament tally to 18. That second goal, deep in stoppage time, moved him past Marta's 17, a mark she built across six Women's World Cup appearances.
Marta has entered the chat.
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) June 22, 2026
The football legend posted about Lionel Messi surpassing her all-time World Cup scoring record. pic.twitter.com/buVmVDWlqE
His first goal in the 38th minute had already broken Germany's Miroslav Klose's men's record of 16. Then his stoppage-time finish claimed the overall record outright.
Marta's Legacy as a Women's Soccer World Champion Remains Unmatched
Still, the moment belonged as much to Marta as it did to Messi. Among women's soccer world champions and all-time greats, few players have shaped the game the way she has.
Marta set her record over nearly two decades of international play. She remains the only player named FIFA World Player of the Year six times and captained the Orlando Pride to the 2024 NWSL Championship.
Marta recently returned to Brazil's national team for the 2025 Copa America. With the 2027 Women's World Cup headed to her home country, she hasn't ruled out a seventh tournament appearance, and a chance to reclaim the record on home soil.
