Top World Cup Goal Scorers: Messi Surpasses Klose in FIFA History

The FIFA World Cup has always showcased some of soccer's finest goal scorers. The 2026 tournament in North America features legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo possibly making their last World Cup appearances. Alongside them, stars such as Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane continue to add to their impressive international records.

As Messi and Ronaldo compete in their sixth World Cup, the all-time top scorers list sees new shifts. Argentina's Messi recently overtook Germany's Miroslav Klose during the 2026 World Cup. Messi’s incredible hat-trick against Algeria put him ahead with 18 goals, surpassing Klose’s previous record of 16 goals scored over four tournaments.

Miroslav Klose's World Cup Journey

Klose, once a quiet presence among elite strikers, made his mark with remarkable consistency in major tournaments. He debuted memorably in 2002 with a hat-trick against Saudi Arabia and concluded his World Cup career triumphantly in 2014 by scoring his final goal in Germany’s stunning 7-1 semifinal victory over Brazil.

Ranking the Top World Cup Scorers

*Players active in 2026 World Cup

More on Other Leading Scorers

Klose's record edged out Brazil's Ronaldo, who scored 15 goals, including two in the 2002 final against Germany. Kylian Mbappe has quickly climbed the rankings too. His two goals against Senegal in 2026 pushed him past Pele and tied him with Gerd Muller. Subsequent goals against Iraq moved him beyond Ronaldo.

Harry Kane, England's captain, marked his third World Cup with two goals against Croatia. That brought him alongside several players on 10 goals at World Cup finals, like Gary Lineker.

Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup Scoring

Though Ronaldo boasts 143 international goals, only eight came from five World Cups before 2026. He matched Diego Maradona's tally in the tournament. After a slow start with a draw against DR Congo, he scored twice versus Uzbekistan, joining the group of double-digit World Cup scorers.

Ronaldo also set a record by scoring in six separate World Cups. This lifted him above Eusebio as Portugal's top World Cup scorer. Eusebio’s nine goals helped Portugal finish third in 1966.