Lionel Messi has done what even his most devoted fans once considered a long shot. The Argentine forward now sits alone atop the all-time FIFA World Cup goalscoring list with 18 career goals, breaking a record that Miroslav Klose held for over a decade.
Klose’s mark of 16 goals, set across four tournaments and standing since 2014, was considered one of football’s more durable records. Messi dismantled it in a matter of days during the 2026 World Cup, scoring his 17th and 18th career World Cup goals in matches played between June 17 and June 22.
The new hierarchy
The updated all-time leaderboard now reads like a who’s who of footballing royalty, with Messi’s 18 goals creating clear separation at the top. Klose remains in second place with 16, a total that seemed untouchable for years. Brazil’s Ronaldo sits third with 15 career World Cup goals.
The French star Kylian Mbappé currently has 14 World Cup goals, placing him level with German legend Gerd Müller.
