Argentina, Ecuador, and Brazil have confirmed their places in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Other teams are still in the mix, with Colombia, Paraguay, and Uruguay clinching their spots through tough victories. In a significant moment, Lionel Messi has now overtaken Luis Díaz as the leading scorer in the CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
Messi’s impressive performance against Venezuela included two goals, raising his total to eight goals in the qualifiers. Although he leads, Colombian player Luis Díaz is only one goal behind and has a chance to reclaim the top position in Colombia’s upcoming match against Venezuela.
While the top scorer title is not yet secured for Messi, he has set a remarkable record. He now leads the all-time scoring charts for South American qualifiers with 36 goals, following his two-goal game today. This achievement places him ahead of close friend Luis Suarez, who has 29 goals, and Marcelo Moreno Martins with 22 goals.
Current Top Scorers in the CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
As the qualifiers approach the final match, Messi leads the scoring charts, but several eager players are close behind. These competitors are ready for one last effort to challenge Messi.
Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Venezuela.
| 1 | Lionel Messi | 8 goals |
| 2 | Luis Diaz | 7 goals |
| 3 | Miguel Terceros | 6 goals |
| 4 | Raphinha | 5 goals |
| 5 | Salomon Rondon | 5 goals |
| 6 | Darwin Nuñez | 5 goals |
| 7 | Enner Valencia | 5 goals |
Although Messi is at the top right now, other players are in pursuit. Luis Diaz, his nearest competitor, needs two goals to surpass him, while Miguel Terceros would require a hat trick to take the lead. Players with five goals are also still in the race, as they could change the standings in the final match, especially with Messi missing the game against Ecuador.