Kenya Sport

Lionel Messi Sets New World Cup Scoring Record as Kylian Mbappé Follows Closely

During the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Messi of Argentina surpassed all previous goal scorers to become the tournament's all-time leading scorer. He secured his 17th and 18th goals in Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria, pushing his tally higher with every match played.

Mbappé Climbs to Second Place

Shortly after Messi's milestone, France's Kylian Mbappé moved up to tie for second place on the all-time World Cup scoring list. The young star has been rapidly accumulating goals over three tournaments and appears ready to challenge Messi’s record in the near future.

Other Leading World Cup Goal Scorers

Aside from Messi and Mbappé, several notable players have left their mark on World Cup history:

  • Miroslav Klose (Germany) scored 16 goals over four World Cups, known for his sharp finishing and consistent scoring.
  • Pelé (Brazil) tallied 12 goals, contributing to Brazil's multiple World Cup victories during his career.
  • Ronaldo (Brazil) finished with 15 goals, highlighted by an eight-goal performance when Brazil won the 2002 title.
  • Gerd Müller (West Germany) scored 14 goals in just two tournaments, including a Golden Boot-winning 1970 campaign.
  • Just Fontaine (France) still holds the record for most goals scored in a single World Cup with 13 goals in 1958.
  • Sándor Kocsis (Hungary) amassed 11 goals, all during the 1954 tournament.
  • Jürgen Klinsmann (Germany) also scored 11 goals across three World Cups.

Other Players Chasing Records

Besides Messi and Mbappé, players like England’s Harry Kane and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo remain among the top scorers, each with at least 10 World Cup goals. Ronaldo recently became the first player to score at six different World Cups.

The Race Continues

Lionel Messi enters his sixth World Cup aiming to add to his record after leading Argentina to victory in 2022 with seven goals. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé, only 27 years old, has already scored 14 goals in 15 World Cup appearances and is expected to keep chasing the summit.

The contest for the greatest World Cup scorer remains dynamic, with these legends writing new chapters in football history.

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