Top World Cup Goal Scorers of All Time
Scoring at the World Cup is a moment unlike any other, magnified by the eyes of millions watching worldwide. While many players score once, only a few manage to do it repeatedly and leave a lasting legacy.
Leading World Cup Scorers
- Lionel Messi, Argentina: 18 goals in 29 games
- Miroslav Klose, Germany: 16 goals in 24 games
- Ronaldo, Brazil: 15 goals in 19 games
- Kylian Mbappé, France: 15 goals in 15 games
- Gerd Müller, West Germany: 14 goals in 13 games
- Just Fontaine, France: 13 goals in 6 games
- Pele, Brazil: 12 goals in 14 games
- Sándor Kocsis, Hungary: 11 goals in 5 games
- Jürgen Klinsmann, West Germany/Germany: 11 goals in 17 games
- Harry Kane, England: 10 goals in 12 games
- Helmut Rahn, West Germany: 10 goals in 10 games
- Gary Lineker, England: 10 goals in 12 games
- Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina: 10 goals in 12 games
- Teófilo Cubillas, Peru: 10 goals in 13 games
- Thomas Müller, Germany: 10 goals in 16 games
- Grzegorz Lato, Poland: 10 goals in 20 games
Other Notable Scorers with Nine Goals
- Ademir, Brazil: 9 goals in 6 games
- Eusébio, Portugal: 9 goals in 6 games
- Christian Vieri, Italy: 9 goals in 9 games
- Vavá, Brazil: 9 goals in 10 games
- David Villa, Spain: 9 goals in 12 games
- Paolo Rossi, Italy: 9 goals in 14 games
- Jairzinho, Brazil: 9 goals in 16 games
- Roberto Baggio, Italy: 9 goals in 16 games
- Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, West Germany: 9 goals in 19 games
- Uwe Seeler, West Germany: 9 goals in 21 games
Players with Eight Goals
- Guillermo Stábile, Argentina: 8 goals in 4 games
- Leonidas, Brazil: 8 goals in 5 games
- Óscar Míguez, Uruguay: 8 goals in 7 games
- Rivaldo, Brazil: 8 goals in 14 games
- Rudi Völler, West Germany/Germany: 8 goals in 15 games
- Diego Maradona, Argentina: 8 goals in 21 games
- Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal: 8 goals in 22 games
- Neymar, Brazil: 8 goals in 13 games
Highlights and Moments
Lionel Messi scored more goals in the 2022 World Cup than all his previous tournaments combined, and he already has multiple goals in the 2026 edition. Miroslav Klose surpassed Ronaldo's record during Germany's 7-1 win over Brazil in 2014. Kylian Mbappé became the first teenager since Pele to score in a final in 2018 and later achieved a hat-trick in a final. Just Fontaine holds the record for most goals in a single World Cup with 13 in 1958.
Many players, including Pelé, Ronaldo, and Neymar, have contributed significantly to Brazil's rich World Cup history. European stars like Gerd Müller, Jürgen Klinsmann, and Thomas Müller also feature prominently on the list.
