Kylian Mbappé has shattered records with an extraordinary performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, pushing his total World Cup goal tally to 22. His remarkable scoring spree this year, which saw him net 10 goals, has firmly placed him at the summit of the all-time World Cup goal scorers list.
Not far behind, Lionel Messi stands with an impressive 21 goals. The Argentine captain recently celebrated his 39th birthday and marked the occasion by leading Argentina to a thrilling comeback victory in the Round of 16 against Egypt. His goal in that match was his eighth of the 2026 tournament alone, underscoring his enduring prowess on football’s biggest stage.
All-Time World Cup Goal Scoring Leaders
Mbappé’s rise to the top has seen him surpass not only Messi but also the legendary Miroslav Klose, who held the record previously. Klose, whose tally stands at 16 goals, achieved his record over 24 World Cup appearances, culminating with Germany’s 2014 World Cup triumph. Before Klose, the record was held by Brazil’s Ronaldo, who scored 15 goals in his World Cup career.
As the 2026 tournament progresses into its knockout stages, both Messi and Mbappé continue to outpace the legends of previous generations, redefining the standards of World Cup goal scoring.
Current Top World Cup Goal Scorers
- Kylian Mbappé (France) – 22 goals
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 21 goals
- Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 16 goals
- Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil) – 15 goals
- Gerd Müller (Germany) – 14 goals
- Harry Kane (England) – 14 goals
- Just Fontaine (France) – 13 goals
- Pelé (Brazil) – 12 goals