FIFA World Cup all-time leading scorers -

04 July, KATHMANDU: Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Miroslav Klose, Ronaldo, Gerd Muller, Just Fontaine and Harry Kane among the many greats to feature.

Ever since its inception in 1930, the FIFA World Cup™ has brought together the globe’s greatest players in a celebration of the beautiful game.

Prior to FIFA World Cup 2026™ Miroslav Klose led the overall scoring charts, but Lionel Messi has overtaken him in first place after a hat-trick – his first in the World Cup – in Argentina’s opening game against Algeria, followed by a brace in the win over Austria, and further goals in their final group game with Jordan and the epic Round of 32 encounter against Cabo Verde.

The former Germany international is now ranked third, with Kylian Mbappe continuing his astonishing exploits at the global showpiece with his trio of braces against Senegal, Iraq and Sweden giving him 18 goals from a mere 18 games.

Here, FIFA lists the leading marksmen in World Cup history.

Lionel Messi – Argentina

Goals: 20
World Cups: Six – 2006 (one goal), 2010 (no goals), 2014 (four goals), 2018 (one goal), 2022 (seven goals), 2026 (seven goals to date)
Matches played: 30

Kylian Mbappe – France

Goals: 18
World Cups: Three – 2018 (four goals), 2022 (eight goals), 2026 (six goals to date)
Matches played: 18

Miroslav Klose – Germany

Goals: 16
World Cups: Four – 2002 (five goals), 2006 (five goals), 2010 (four goals), 2014 (two goals)
Matches played: 24

Ronaldo – Brazil

Goals: 15
World Cups: Four – 1994 (no goals), 1998 (four goals), 2002 (eight goals), 2006 (three goals)
Matches played: 19

Gerd Muller – West Germany

Goals: 14
World Cups: Two – 1970 (10 goals), 1974 (four goals)
Matches played: 13

Just Fontaine – France

Goals: 13
World Cups: One – 1958
Matches played: Six

Harry Kane

Goals: 13
World Cups: Three – 2018 (six goals), 2022 (two goals), 2026 (five goals to date)
Matches played: 15

Pele – Brazil

Sport, Football, 1970 World Cup Final, Mexico City, Mexico, 21st June 1970, Brazil 4 v Italy 1, Brazil's Pele is chaired off the Azteca Stadium pitch wearing a sombrero after Brazil had won the World Cup trophy for the third time (Photo by Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)

Goals: 12 World Cups: Four – 1958 (six goals), 1962 (one goal), 1966 (one goal), 1970 (four goals) Matches played: 14

Pelé | Brazil | Classic Players

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Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 23: Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at Houston Stadium on June 23, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)

Goals: 11 World Cups: Six – 2006 (one goal), 2010 (one goal), 2014 (one goal), 2018 (four goals), 2022 (one goal), 2026 (three goals to date) Matches played: 26

Cristiano Ronaldo | All FIFA World Cup goals

Watch back every goal of the only player to score at six FIFA World Cups.

Jurgen Klinsmann – West Germany / Germany

17 JUN 1994: JUERGEN KLINSMANN OF GERMANY CELEBRATES AFTER SCORING THE ONLY GOAL TO BEAT BOLIVIA IN THE OPENING GAME OF THE 1994 WORLD CUP AT SOLDIER FIELD IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill/ALLSPORT

Goals: 11 World Cups: Three – 1990 (three goals), 1994 (five goals), 1998 (three goals) Matches played: 17

Jürgen Klinsmann | Germany | Classic Players

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Sandor Kocsis – Hungary

Goals: 11 World Cups: One – 1954 Matches played: Five

Germany FR v Hungary | 1954 FIFA World Cup Switzerland™ | Classic Matches

Watch highlights of some of the best matches ever played in the FIFA World Cup™.

Gabriel Batistuta – Argentina

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: Argentine soccer star Gabriel Batistuta (9) celebrates scoring the first goal against Chile 29 March, 2000, at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires in their World Cup 2002 elimination match. Batistuta's teammates Cristian Gonzalez (L) and Sebastian Veron also celebrate. AFP PHOTO / Daniel GARCIA (Photo credit should read DANIEL GARCIA/AFP via Getty Images)

Goals: 10 World Cups: Three – 1994 (four goals), 1998 (five goals), 2002 (one goal) Matches played: 12

Gabriel Batistuta | Silver Shoe Award | 1998 FIFA World Cup France™

The adidas Golden Boot was first awarded to the top goalscorer of the tournament in 1982 under the name Golden Shoe. It was renamed Golden Boot in 2010. Runners-up are awarded the adidas Silver Boot and adidas Bronze Boot awards respectively.

Teofilo Cubillas – Peru

Goals: 10 World Cups: Three – 1970 (five goals), 1978 (five goals), 1982 (no goals) Matches played: 13

Teófilo Cubillas | Silver Boot Award | 1978 FIFA World Cup Argentina™

Grzegorz Lato – Poland

1982 World Cup Finals, Second Phase, Barcelona, Spain, 28th June, 1982, Poland 3 v Belgium 0, Poland's Grzegorz Lato beats Belgium's Luc Millechamps to cross the ball for Poland's first goal (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

Goals: 10 World Cups: Three – 1974 (seven goals), 1978 (two goals), 1982 (one goal) Matches played: 20

Grzegorz Lato | Top Goalscorer | 1974 FIFA World Cup Germany™

Gary Lineker – England

1990 World Cup Semi Final, Turin, Italy, 4th July, 1990, West Germany 1 v England 1, (West Germany win 4-3 on penalties), England's Gary Lineker celebrates after scoring the equalising goal to force the match in to extra time (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

Goals: 10 World Cups: Two – 1986 (six goals), 1990 (four goals) Matches played: 12

Gary Lineker | Golden Shoe Award | 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico™

Thomas Muller – Germany

Goals: 10 World Cups: Four – 2010 (five goals), 2014 (five goals), 2018 (no goals), 2022 (no goals) Matches played: 19

Thomas Muller | All FIFA World Cup goals with Germany

Watch all goals ever scored by Thomas Muller in FIFA World Cup history.

Helmut Rahn – West Germany

Goals: 10 World Cups: Two – 1954 (four goals), 1958 (six goals) Matches played: 10

Ademir – Brazil

Brazil forward Ademir is challenged by Uruguay defender Rodriguez Andrade but still shoots towards goal during the World Cup Final on 16 July 1950 at the Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro. Uruguay defeated Brazil 2-1.

Goals: 9 World Cups: One – 1950 Matches played: Six

Roberto Baggio – Italy

13 Jul 1994: Robert Baggio of Italy celebrates with the crowd after scoring during the World Cup semi-final against Bulgaria at the Giants Stadium in New York, USA. Italy won the match 2-1. \ Mandatory Credit: Simon Bruty/Allsport

Goals: 9 World Cups: Three – 1990 (two goals), 1994 (five goals), 1998 (two goals) Matches played: 16

Roberto Baggio | Silver Ball Award | 1994 FIFA World Cup USA™

The adidas Golden Ball is presented to the best player at each FIFA World Cup finals. Those who finish as runners-up in the vote receive the adidas Silver Ball and Bronze Ball awards as the second and third most outstanding players in the tournament respectively.