Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleLionel Messi has continued his stellar World Cup performance after breaking the all-time World Cup top goalscorer record.Argentina’s captain has already scored 8 goals in the tournament, bringing his all-time World Cup total to 21. The 38-year-old surpassed the record previously held by Germany's Miroslav Klose.Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé is hot on Messi’s heels for the top spot, having also surpassed Klose with a total of 20 goals. As such, the overall top scorers in Fifa Men’s World Cup history are now as follows: Lionel Messi (21), Kylian Mbappé (20), Miroslav Klose (16), Brazil’s Ronaldo (15), Harry Kane (14) and Gerd Müller (14).In fullWorld Cup 2026 Golden Boot: Messi, Mbappe, Haaland and Kane in thrilling race to finish top scorerMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
The all-time World Cup top scorers as Mbappé closes in on record
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleLionel Messi has continued his stellar World Cup performance after breaking the all-time World Cup top goalscorer record.Argentina’s captain has already scored 8 goals in the tournament, bringing his all-time World Cup total to 21. The 38-year-old surpassed the record previously held by Germany's Miroslav Klose.Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé is hot on Messi’s heels for the top spot, having also surpassed Klose with a total of 20 goals. As such, the overall top scorers in Fifa Men’s World Cup history are now as follows: Lionel Messi (21), Kylian Mbappé (20), Miroslav Klose (16), Brazil’s Ronaldo (15), Harry Kane (14) and Gerd Müller (14).In fullWorld Cup 2026 Golden Boot: Messi, Mbappe, Haaland and Kane in thrilling race to finish top scorerMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
