Lionel Messi Takes Lead as Top World Cup Goal Scorer; Mbappé Close Behind
As the 2026 World Cup unfolds, Lionel Messi from Argentina has surpassed all others to claim the highest number of goals ever scored in World Cup history. He netted his 17th and 18th goals during Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria. The question now is how many more he will add before the tournament ends.
Not far behind, Kylian Mbappé of France quickly matched the No. 2 spot on the all-time list with his own impressive scoring efforts.
Other Contenders on the List
Players like England’s Harry Kane and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo remain in the hunt, each holding ten World Cup goals. Ronaldo made history by scoring at six separate World Cups, a record he extended with a two-goal performance recently.
Brief Profiles of Top Scorers
- Jürgen Klinsmann: Once a prolific striker for Germany, scoring 11 goals in three World Cups, including the winning 1990 campaign.
- Sándor Kocsis: Noted for scoring all 11 of his World Cup goals in 1954, including multiple hat tricks, but his Hungary team lost in the final.
- Pelé: The legendary Brazilian who began his World Cup journey as a teenager in 1958, ultimately winning three titles and scoring 12 goals.
- Just Fontaine: Holds the record for most goals in a single World Cup, scoring 13 in 1958 for France.
- Gerd Müller: German striker famed for his goal-scoring efficiency, earning 14 goals over two World Cups and contributing to a championship win.
- Ronaldo: Brazilian forward who scored 15 goals across multiple tournaments, including an eight-goal haul in 2002.
- Kylian Mbappé: Young French star climbing rapidly, matching 16 career World Cup goals by age 27.
- Miroslav Klose: Known as one of the best finishers, scoring 16 goals over four World Cups and helping Germany to the 2014 title.
- Lionel Messi: Now leading with 18 goals, Messi continues to add to his tally in what is his sixth World Cup appearance.
