- Top 25 World Cup Goalscorers After Messi Matches FIFA Record
- The Argentine achieved the feat with a hat-trick against Algeria.
- Mbappe remains close behind with 14 World Cup goals.
Lionel Messi has matched the all-time FIFA World Cup scoring record after netting a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening Group J match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the three goals took the Argentina captain’s World Cup tally to 16, drawing him level with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose, who has held the record since the 2014 World Cup.
Messi reached the milestone in Kansas City, adding another remarkable achievement to a career already regarded as one of the greatest in football history.
The 38-year-old’s latest feat is particularly significant because it has been achieved across six World Cup tournaments. Since making his World Cup debut as a teenager in Germany in 2006, Messi has remained a key figure for Argentina, scoring goals and delivering decisive performances over two decades on football’s biggest stage.
While Klose scored his 16 World Cup goals in 24 appearances, Messi reached the same total in 27 matches. Beyond his goalscoring record, the Argentine star has also contributed numerous assists and match-winning displays throughout his World Cup career.
Messi now has the opportunity to become the outright record holder as Argentina continue their campaign in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Below are the Top 25 World Cup Goal Scorers of All Time
1. Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 16 Goals
– World Cups: 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
– Matches: 24
2. Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 16 Goals
– World Cups: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026
– Matches: 27
3. Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil) – 15 Goals
– World Cups: 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006
– Matches: 19
4. Gerd Müller (West Germany) – 14 Goals
– World Cups: 1970, 1974
– Matches: 13
5. Kylian Mbappé (France) – 14 Goals
– World Cups: 2018, 2022, 2026
– Matches: 15
6. Just Fontaine (France) – 13 Goals
– World Cup: 1958
– Matches: 6
7. Pelé (Brazil) – 12 Goals
– World Cups: 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970
– Matches: 14
8. Jürgen Klinsmann (Germany) – 11 Goals
– World Cups: 1990, 1994, 1998
– Matches: 17
9. Sándor Kocsis (Hungary) – 11 Goals
– World Cup: 1954
– Matches: 5
10. Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina) – 10 Goals
– World Cups: 1994, 1998, 2002
– Matches: 12
11. Teófilo Cubillas (Peru) – 10 Goals
– World Cups: 1970, 1978, 1982
– Matches: 13
12. Grzegorz Lato (Poland) – 10 Goals
– World Cups: 1974, 1978, 1982
– Matches: 20
13. Gary Lineker (England) – 10 Goals
– World Cups: 1986, 1990
– Matches: 12
14. Thomas Müller (Germany) – 10 Goals
– World Cups: 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
– Matches: 19
15. Helmut Rahn (West Germany) – 10 Goals
– World Cups: 1954, 1958
– Matches: 10
16. Ademir de Menezes (Brazil) – 9 Goals
– World Cup: 1950
– Matches: 6
17. Roberto Baggio (Italy) – 9 Goals
– World Cups: 1990, 1994, 1998
– Matches: 16
18. Eusébio (Portugal) – 9 Goals
– World Cup: 1966
– Matches: 6
19. Jairzinho (Brazil) – 9 Goals
– World Cups: 1966, 1970, 1974
– Matches: 16
20. Paolo Rossi (Italy) – 9 Goals
– World Cups: 1978, 1982
– Matches: 14
21. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (West Germany) – 9 Goals
– World Cups: 1978, 1982, 1986
– Matches: 19
22. Uwe Seeler (West Germany) – 9 Goals
– World Cups: 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970
– Matches: 21
23. Vavá (Brazil) – 9 Goals
– World Cups: 1958, 1962
– Matches: 10
24. Christian Vieri (Italy) – 9 Goals
– World Cups: 1998, 2002
– Matches: 9
25. David Villa (Spain) – 9 Goals
– World Cups: 2006, 2010, 2014
– Matches: 12
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