Messi and Mbappé rewrite history: the World Cup's all-time top scorers ranking
Lionel Messi has become the World Cup's all-time top scorer with 21 goals, ahead of Kylian Mbappé (20 goals), while Miroslav Klose (16 goals) rounds out the podium. Here's the full ranking.
As the 2026 World Cup heads into its final stages, superstars Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé have rewritten the tournament's all-time scoring history, erasing the record long held by Germany's Miroslav Klose.
Messi now sits at the top of the all-time list with 21 goals across six editions (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026) with Argentina, while Mbappé holds 2nd place with 20 goals scored in just three editions (2018, 2022, 2026) with France — giving him the best goals-per-tournament average among the competition's greatest scorers.
The full ranking of the World Cup's all-time top scorers
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) — 21 goals across 6 editions (2006-2026)
- Kylian Mbappé (France) — 20 goals in just 3 editions (2018-2026)
- Miroslav Klose (Germany) — 16 goals across 4 editions (2002-2014)
- Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil) — 15 goals across 3 editions (1998-2006)
- Gerd Müller (West Germany) — 14 goals
- Harry Kane (England) — 14 goals across 3 editions (2018-2026)
- Just Fontaine (France) — 13 goals, all scored in a single edition (1958)
- Pelé (Brazil) — 12 goals across 4 editions (1958-1970)
Notably, Mbappé also holds the record for the most goals scored in knockout-stage matches in tournament history. The race between the two stars could still evolve further, with both Argentina and France continuing their run in this 2026 edition.
