Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé are competing not only for the 2026 World Cup trophy but also for the title of the tournament's all-time top goalscorer. Here is how they compare with the legends on the list.
Golden Boot: World Cup 2026 Top Goalscorers
Messi began his 2026 World Cup campaign with a hat-trick in a 3-0 victory over Algeria. Those three goals brought his career total to 16 World Cup goals, matching the existing record held by Miroslav Klose. The Inter Miami star is expected to set a new mark this summer, but he faces strong competition from Kylian Mbappé, who scored twice in France's opening match against Senegal, bringing his total to 14 goals since his debut eight years ago.
All-Time Top 20 World Cup Goalscorers
The list below shows the top 20 World Cup goalscorers of all time, based on data from Transfermarkt. In case of a tie, the player with fewer appearances is ranked higher.
- Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 16 goals in 24 matches
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 16 goals in 26 matches
- Kylian Mbappé (France) – 14 goals in 14 matches
- Gerd Müller (West Germany) – 14 goals in 13 matches
- Just Fontaine (France) – 13 goals in 6 matches
- Pelé (Brazil) – 12 goals in 14 matches
- Ronaldo (Brazil) – 15 goals in 19 matches
England fans will be hoping Harry Kane quickly joins this list by adding to his current tally of eight goals.
