FIFA World Cup: The top goalscorers in World Cup history | OneFootball

Being the top scorer in FIFA World Cup history is a phenomenal achievement, and it’s a landmark that could be eclipsed this summer. Two big names are within reach of the record, heading into the 2026 finals in North America.

Players with the most goals at FIFA World Cup tournaments

1. Miroslav Klose – Germany (16)

Miroslav Klose is the record scorer in World Cup history after four tournaments of remarkable consistency. After earning the nod as Germany’s number nine in 2002, Klose hit five goals at the tournament to finish runner-up for the Golden Boot. Remarkably, all five of Klose’s goals came via headers, including a hat-trick against Saudi Arabia, as Germany reached the final.

Four years later, Klose scored five goals on home soil to win the Golden Boot, though Germany’s campaign ended in the semi-finals. Four goals followed in 2010, including efforts in knockout stage wins over England and Argentina, as Germany again reached the final four.

Klose finally got his hands on the trophy in 2014, with two goals in Germany’s victorious campaign taking him top for World Cup goals.

Noughties Nines: Miroslav Klose – World Cup icon

2. Ronaldo – Brazil (15)

Ronaldo scored 15 goals for Brazil at the World Cup. The Brazilian was an unused teenage member of the 1994 squad that won the tournament, but by 1998 was established as arguably the world’s finest footballer.

He scored four goals and added three assists en route to the final, but suffered a convulsive fit on the eve of the decider. Though he returned from hospital to feature, he was unable to make an impact as Brazil lost to France.

Redemption arrived in 2002, where Ronaldo scored eight goals to win the Golden Boot, as Brazil won a fifth World Cup. It was the culmination of a remarkable return and arduous road, that had included career-threatening knee injuries.

Ronaldo scored three goals at the 2006 World Cup to eclipse Gerd Muller’s then-tournament record.

Ronaldo’s redemption at the 2002 World Cup

3. Gerd Muller – West Germany (14)

Gerd Muller reached 14 goals in just 13 games across two World Cup tournaments. ‘Der Bomber’ scored 10 times in six games as West Germany finished third at the 1970 tournament, a year that saw Muller win the Ballon d’Or.

In 1974, Muller scored four goals, including the final winner, as West Germany beat the Netherlands to be crowned world champions.

=4. Just Fontaine – France (13)

Just Fontaine holds the all-time record for goals in a single tournament after the French forward scored 13 times at the 1958 tournament.

Fontaine fired 13 goals in only six games, including a four-goal haul against defending champions West Germany. France fell in the semi-finals despite a customary goal from Fontaine, as Pele’s hat-trick for Brazil dumped out Les Bleus.

=4. Lionel Messi – Argentina (13)

Lionel Messi reached 13 goals at the World Cup after inspiring Argentina’s 2022 success in Qatar. Messi’s seven goals in the tournament were more than he had managed in the previous four World Cups, a return which included two in the final win over France.

At 38, Messi will feature in an unprecedented sixth World Cup this summer, where he will have his sights set on Klose’s record.

Read – Messi, Qatar, and the fulfilment of a football fairytale

See more – Remembering the last five winners of the World Cup Golden Ball

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