With the in full swing, it was solely a matter of time earlier than ‘s broke the all-time file.
Already thought of by many as the best of all time, Messi has now scored extra targets than another participant in World Cup historical past. He throughout Argentina’s 2-0 win over . Then he added one other towards on a elegant free kick from outdoors the field for his nineteenth within the competitors. Now, it is only a query of what number of extra he’ll add to his ledger this match.
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‘s moved the No. 2 spot on the all-time listing within the knockout rounds, however Messi nonetheless has a slender lead.
Listed here are the highest-scoring gamers within the historical past of FIFA’s quadrennial international match.
No. 9 (tied): Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal (11)
Portugal’s all-time main artificial his approach into this listing late in Portugal’s sport towards within the Spherical of 32 after having not scored within the knockout spherical of the World Cup in his profession earlier than the penalty kick within the second half of the 2026 match. He had two targets earlier within the match towards and has scored in all six World Cup tournaments he is performed in.
Klinsmann might be higher identified now as a former U.S. and Germany supervisor, however in his heyday, the ahead was a scoring menace. He tallied 11 targets throughout three World Cups, together with in 1990 when Germany received the match.
Hungary’s Sandor Kocsis scored his 11 World Cup targets on the 1954 match. (Photograph by AFP through Getty Pictures)
(- through Getty Pictures)No. 9 (tied): Sándor Kocsis, Hungary (11)
Kocsis had a nationwide staff file of seven hat methods for Hungary and scored all 11 of his World Cup targets on the 1954 match. He had two hat methods in that World Cup however the Hungarians fell within the last towards West Germany.
Whereas many take into account him the GOAT, the Brazilian legend wants no introduction. He made his debut on the 1958 World Cup and delivered six targets as a 17-year-old whereas Brazil received all of it. He solely performed in 4 matches complete over the next two World Cups, however Brazil received all of it once more in 1962. To cap off his profession, he led his nation to a different title on the 1970 World Cup for a complete of 12 targets.
England’s talisman got here into this match with eight targets throughout his first two World Cups. He had six in 2018 and two extra in 2022 because the Three Lions bought to the semifinals and quarterfinals, respectively. He had a brace within the 2026 World Cup opener towards Croatia, after which nabbed one other towards to . Then he saved the Three Lions with a 3rd brace within the Spherical of 32 towards Congo.
France’s Simply Fontaine scored 13 targets at a single World Cup in 1958. (Photograph by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone through Getty Pictures)
(Keystone-France through Getty Pictures)No. 6 (tied): Simply Fontaine, France (13)
France striker Simply Fontaine stands alone in historical past when it comes to targets at a single World Cup. He scored an astonishing 13 targets in six video games at Sweden 1958 – a file for one World Cup. ‘Justo’ had a hat trick, two braces, a game-winner, a objective towards champion Brazil and a four-goal outing within the third-place playoff sport.
West Germany’s Gerd Müller ended his World Cup profession with 14 targets. (Photograph by AFP through Getty Pictures)
(STAFF through Getty Pictures)No. 5: Gerd Müller, West Germany (14)
Müller is one other participant whose effectivity has stood the take a look at of time. He solely performed in two World Cups (1970 and 1974), however delivered 10 targets to win the Golden Boot within the former and added one other 4 targets in his second and last match, which West Germany received.
Brazil’s Ronaldo completed his worldwide profession with 15 World Cup targets. (AFP/Antonio Scorza)
(ANTONIO SCORZA through Getty Pictures)No. 4: Ronaldo, Brazil (15)
One other Brazilian legend, Ronaldo made the World Cup-winning 1994 staff however did not see any motion. Over the subsequent three tournaments although, Ronaldo went on a tear, scoring 4 targets in 1998, eight in 2002 when Brazil received all of it, after which he tacked on one other three at his last World Cup in 2006.
Germany’s Miroslav Klose completed his worldwide profession with 16 World Cup targets.
(Adam Davy – EMPICS through Getty Pictures)No. 3: Miroslav Klose, Germany (16)
The title that is been talked about lots as Messi and Mbappé pursued historical past, Klose was finest often called a relentless poacher who by no means missed a possibility in entrance of the online. The striker had 5 targets every in 2002 and 2006. Then he added one other 4 in 2010 and capped off his worldwide profession with two extra on the 2014 World Cup as Germany hoisted the trophy.
France’s Kylian Mbappe has 14 targets in three World Cups. (Rob Newell/Getty Pictures)
(Rob Newell – CameraSport through Getty Pictures)No. 2: Kylian Mbappé, France (18)
The French sparkplug has quickly ascended this listing and is predicted to chase Lionel Messi on the high of it. He is solely 27 years outdated and has 17 targets in 18 World Cup video games. He had 4 in his debut on the 2018 World Cup when France received all of it, eight in 2022 when France misplaced to Argentina within the title sport, and he has continued to pile on on the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi scored a hat trick in his nation’s opener and is now No. 1 in all-time World Cup targets. (Photograph by Tom Weller/image alliance through Getty Pictures)
(image alliance through Getty Pictures)No. 1: Lionel Messi, Argentina (20)
The with each dart by an opposing protection. He shredded for within the staff’s opener and broke the file with a traditional strike after which added a second objective towards Algeria. He began on the bench towards Jordan, however it did not matter. He scored on a free kick all the identical. Then, within the Spherical of 32, he opened the scoring towards with a cute punch previous the keeper for his twentieth objective within the compeThis is Messi’s sixth World Cup as he seems to comply with up the 2022 match the place he scored seven targets and led Argentina to the title.