Lionel Messi has reached a significant milestone in his illustrious career by equaling the all-time FIFA World Cup goalscoring record after scoring a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win against Algeria to kick off the 2026 tournament. This three-goal feat has propelled Messi’s World Cup goal tally to 16, bringing him level with the record set by German football icon Miroslav Klose.
With more matches on the horizon, Messi is well-positioned to surpass this record and become the highest goalscorer in World Cup history. However, the competition remains fierce, particularly from France’s Kylian Mbappé. In his team’s opening victory over Senegal, Mbappé scored twice, increasing his World Cup goal count to 14.
Mbappé’s progress is notable for its efficiency, as he has achieved this milestone in just 15 World Cup appearances, underscoring his exceptional scoring ability. Meanwhile, Messi has drawn level with Klose’s record over the course of 27 matches. As the tournament unfolds, the French forward remains a strong contender in the race to the top.
The all-time World Cup scoring leaderboard includes legendary figures such as Brazil’s Ronaldo with 15 goals, Germany’s Gerd Müller with 14, France’s Just Fontaine with 13, Brazil’s Pelé with 12, and both Argentina’s Gabriel Batistuta and England’s Harry Kane with 10 goals each.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues, the competition for the prestigious goalscoring record promises to be one of the tournament’s most compelling narratives. Messi is poised to make history, while Mbappé seeks to usher in a new era of football greatness.
