2 min learnJun 22, 2026 09:58 PM IST
Arguably the best footballer of his era, and one of many most interesting to ever grace the pitch, Argentinian legend Lionel Messi now stands only one purpose away from changing into the all-time main scorer in FIFA World Cup historical past.
Messi opened Argentina’s 2026 World Cup marketing campaign with a historic hat-trick in opposition to Algeria, drawing him degree with Germany’s Miroslav Klose because the joint-top scorer in event historical past. Each icons now have 16 World Cup objectives to their title, one forward of legendary Brazilian Ronaldo, who sits third on the all-time listing with 15 objectives.
Already holding the report for essentially the most purpose contributions in World Cup historical past (24), with 16 objectives and eight assists, Messi will declare the outright report if he finds the online in Argentina’s Group J conflict in opposition to Austria in Dallas on Monday.
One other generational expertise, France’s Kylian Mbappé, is closing in quick. In simply his third World Cup, the French celebrity has already netted 14 objectives. He opened his 2026 account with a brace in France’s 3–1 victory over Senegal and now sits solely three objectives shy of the report.
Mbappé is presently tied with one other German nice, Gerd Müller, who additionally scored 14 objectives. Müller, who recorded the third-highest purpose tally in a single World Cup version, averaged a formidable 1.08 objectives per recreation. One of the best goals-per-game ratio, nevertheless, belongs to Frenchman Simply Fontaine, who scored a outstanding 13 objectives in a single event.
Ought to Argentina overcome Austria, Messi may also turn into essentially the most profitable participant in World Cup historical past when it comes to match wins. With 16 victories to his title, he’s presently degree with Klose, who achieved the feat in 24 appearances for Germany.
Highest goalscorers in FIFA World Cup historical past
| Rank | Participant | Staff | Targets scored |
Matches performed |
Targets per match |
Tournaments |
| 1 | Miroslav Klose | Germany |
16 |
24 | 0.67 | |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 16 | 27 | 0.59 |
2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026 |
| 3 | Ronaldo | Brazil | 15 | 19 | 0.79 | |
| 4 | Gerd Müller | West Germany | 14 | 13 | 1.08 | 1970, 1974 |
| 5 | Kylian Mbappé | France | 14 | 15 | 0.93 | |
| 6 | Simply Fontaine | France | 13 | 6 | 2.17 | 1958 |
| 7 | Pelé | Brazil | 12 | 14 | 0.86 | |
| 8 | Sándor Kocsis | Hungary | 11 | 5 | 2.2 | 1954 |
| 9 | Jürgen Klinsmann | West Germany Germany |
11 | 17 | 0.65 | 1990 1994, 1998 |
| 10 | Helmut Rahn | West Germany | 10 | 10 | 1 | 1954, 1958 |
| 11 | Gary Lineker | England | 10 | 12 | 0.83 | 1986, 1990 |
| 12 | Gabriel Batistuta | Argentina | 10 | 12 | 0.83 | |
| 13 | Harry Kane | England | 10 | 12 | 0.83 | |
| 14 | Teófilo Cubillas | Peru | 10 | 13 | 0.77 | |
| 15 | Thomas Müller | Germany | 10 | 19 | 0.53 | |
| 16 | Grzegorz Lato | Poland | 10 | 20 | 0.5 |