The top five all-time leading goal scorers in FIFA World Cup history

The FIFA World Cup is unquestionably the greatest competition in football history — the ultimate prize every player dreams of winning for their country and legacy.

Since the inaugural tournament in 1930, which saw Frenchman Lucien Laurent score the first-ever World Cup goal, the competition has produced over 2,700 goals and some of the most iconic moments in football. Among the records stands Just Fontaine’s incredible feat of scoring 13 goals in a single tournament in 1958, a record that remains unbroken to this day.

Here, we spotlight the five players who have scored the most goals in World Cup history:

1. Miroslav Klose (Germany) — 16 goals in 24 games

German striker Miroslav Klose tops the list as the all-time leading World Cup goal scorer with 16 goals across 24 matches. Klose featured in four World Cups from 2002 to 2014 and capped his illustrious career by helping Germany clinch the 2014 World Cup title in Brazil.

2. Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil) — 15 goals in 19 games

Widely regarded as one of football’s greatest strikers, Ronaldo Nazário, famously known as “R9,” netted 15 goals in 19 World Cup appearances. Ronaldo played in four editions and won two titles — in 1994 (although he didn’t see playing time) and 2002. The latter cemented his legacy with a memorable brace in the final against Germany.

3. Gerd Müller (Germany) — 14 goals in 13 games

A legendary goalscorer of his era, Gerd Müller averaged more than a goal per game with 14 goals in just 13 matches across the 1970 and 1974 tournaments. Müller famously scored the winning goal for West Germany in their 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in the 1974 final before retiring as a World Cup champion.

4. Just Fontaine (France) — 13 goals in 6 games

Though he only appeared in one World Cup, Just Fontaine remains a legend for his jaw-dropping 13 goals in just six matches during the 1958 tournament — the highest tally ever in a single World Cup. Surprisingly, Fontaine never featured in another World Cup after 1958.

5. Lionel Messi (Argentina) — 13 goals in 26 games

Considered by many as the greatest footballer ever, Lionel Messi has played in five World Cups from 2006 to 2022. With 13 goals in 26 games, Messi’s crowning achievement came in Qatar 2022 when he led Argentina to their third World Cup title and won his second Golden Ball award. At 37, fans eagerly await whether Messi will compete in the 2026 World Cup across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

These legendary goal scorers have left an indelible mark on the World Cup and football history. As the beautiful game continues to evolve, new stars will surely rise to challenge these records in the years ahead.

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