Lionel Messi Tops World Cup Goal Scorers, Kylian Mbappé Close Behind
As the 2026 World Cup unfolds, Lionel Messi has secured his place as the top scorer in the tournament's history. The Argentine star reached 17 and 18 goals during his team's 2-0 victory over Austria and then struck again with a stunning free kick against Jordan, pushing his total to 19. Now, all eyes are on how many more he will add before the tournament ends.
Kylian Mbappé of France moved up to second place during the knockout stages but still trails Messi by a slim margin.
Top World Cup Goal Scorers
- 20 goals - Lionel Messi (Argentina): Currently leading, Messi scored a hat trick against Algeria and continued adding goals throughout the tournament. This is his sixth World Cup, and he’s already made history.
- 19 goals - Kylian Mbappé (France): At 27 years old, Mbappé has scored 17 goals in 18 World Cup appearances. He netted four goals during the 2018 win, eight in 2022’s final loss to Argentina, and has added more in 2026.
- 16 goals - Miroslav Klose (Germany): Known for his clinical finishing, Klose scored consistently across four tournaments, helping Germany lift the trophy in 2014.
- 15 goals - Ronaldo (Brazil): Though part of the 1994 winning squad without playing, Ronaldo shined in the following World Cups, especially in 2002 when Brazil won.
- 14 goals (tie) - Harry Kane (England) and Gerd Müller (West Germany): Kane became England’s leading World Cup scorer in 2026, while Müller made his mark with two World Cups, winning in 1974.
- 13 goals - Just Fontaine (France): Fontaine holds the record for most goals in a single World Cup, scoring 13 in 1958.
- 12 goals - Pelé (Brazil): The Brazilian legend scored six goals as a 17-year-old in 1958 and helped Brazil secure three titles.
- 11 goals (tie) - Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Jürgen Klinsmann (Germany), Sándor Kocsis (Hungary): Ronaldo scored in every World Cup he played, Klinsmann was a key figure in Germany's 1990 win, and Kocsis tallied all his goals in the 1954 tournament.
