Who scored the most goals in men's World Cup history?

          Germany's Miroslav Klose scored 16 goals in his World Cup career. AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File
          • ESPN
          Jun 17, 2026, 06:10 PM ET

          For a footballer, there is no stage bigger than the FIFA World Cup. Germany's Miroslav Klose set the record for most men's World Cup goals in 2014 when he scored against Brazil, breaking Ronaldo's record.

          Lionel Messi tied the record in the 2026 World Cup, scoring a hat trick against Algeria in the group stage.

          Here are the players who have scored the most goals in men's World Cup history:

          • Miroslav Klose (Germany), 16

          • Lionel Messi (Argentina), 16

          • Ronaldo (Brazil), 15

          • Kylian Mbappé (France), 14

          • Gerd Müller (Germany), 14

          • Just Fontaine (France), 13

          • Pelé (Brazil), 12

          • Jürgen Klinsmann (Germany), 11

          • Sándor Kocsis (Hungary), 11

          • Harry Kane (England), 10

          • Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina), 10

          • Teófilo Cubillas (Peru), 10

          • Grzegorz Lato (Poland), 10

          • Gary Lineker (England), 10

          • Thomas Müller (Germany), 10

          • Helmut Rahn (Germany), 10

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