The FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle of international football, drawing millions of fans worldwide every four years. Throughout its storied history, the tournament has seen some of the greatest players in the world compete for glory. Among the many records associated with the World Cup, one of the most coveted is the title of the all-time top scorer. In this article, Wintips explores who has the most goals in the World Cup, analyzes their achievements, and discusses other notable goal scorers in the tournament's history.
Who has the most goals in the World Cup?
Who has the most goals in the World Cup? Miroslav Klose is a monumental figure in football history, not just for his incredible record of scoring 16 goals across four FIFA World Cup editions, but also for the consistency, perseverance, and skill that defined his career. His World Cup journey began in 2002 with a stunning hat-trick in Germany's 8-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, setting the stage for his legendary exploits. Finishing as the tournament's second-highest scorer that year, Klose’s prowess was evident.
In 2006, Klose solidified his reputation on home soil by clinching the Golden Boot with five goals, showcasing his ability to deliver under pressure. Despite Germany finishing third, his performance earned him recognition as one of the world’s top strikers. The 2010 World Cup saw him add four more goals, contributing significantly to another third-place finish for Germany.
Klose’s crowning moment came in 2014 during Germany's triumphant campaign in Brazil. At the age of 36, he not only broke Ronaldo’s record for the most World Cup goals but also played a crucial role in Germany’s historic 7-1 semi-final victory against Brazil, where he netted the record-breaking goal. His contributions, including two goals and an assist, were pivotal in Germany lifting the trophy.
Beyond the World Cup, Klose retired in 2016 as Germany's all-time leading scorer with 71 international goals
Beyond the World Cup, Klose retired in 2016 as Germany's all-time leading scorer with 71 international goals. His legacy as a World Cup hero remains unmatched, and his transition to coaching has kept him connected to the sport he loves.
From his explosive debut to his final triumph, Miroslav Klose's career epitomizes excellence and dedication, ensuring his place in football's pantheon of legends.
Other Legendary World Cup Goal Scorers
While Klose holds the top spot, many other players have left their mark on World Cup history.
1, Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil) – 15 Goals
Who has the most goals in the World Cup? Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, famously known as Ronaldo, is celebrated as one of the greatest strikers in football history and ranks as the second-highest scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 15 goals in just 19 appearances. His remarkable journey began in 1994 when he was part of Brazil’s World Cup-winning squad, though he didn’t feature in any matches due to the dominance of Romário and Bebeto at the time.
The 1998 World Cup in France marked Ronaldo’s emergence as a global phenomenon. Displaying his exceptional skills and clinical finishing, he scored four goals and led Brazil to the final.
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, famously known as Ronaldo, is celebrated as one of the greatest strikers in football history
However, a pre-match health scare impacted his performance, and Brazil suffered a heartbreaking loss to the hosts.
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1998 World Cup: Ronaldo scored four goals, helping Brazil reach the final, though they lost to France.
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2002 World Cup: Ronaldo’s finest hour came in this tournament, where he scored eight goals, including two in the final against Germany, to lead Brazil to victory.
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2006 World Cup: Ronaldo added three more goals to his tally, overtaking Gerd Müller’s long-standing record of 14 goals.
2. Who has scored most goals in the World Cup? Gerd Müller (Germany) – 14 Goals
Gerd Müller, widely regarded as one of the most lethal finishers in football history, scored an incredible 14 goals in just 13 FIFA World Cup matches, spanning two editions. The German striker’s remarkable achievements underscore his unrivaled ability to find the back of the net, particularly from inside the penalty area, where all 14 of his World Cup goals were scored—a testament to his predatory instincts and positioning.
Who has scored most goals in the World Cup? Gerd Müller (Germany) – 14 Goals
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1970 World Cup: Müller scored an incredible 10 goals, including two hat-tricks, earning the Golden Boot.
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1974 World Cup: He scored four goals, including the match-winner in the final against the Netherlands, helping Germany lift the trophy.
3. Just Fontaine (France) – 13 Goals
Just Fontaine remains one of the most iconic names in FIFA World Cup history, despite appearing in only a single edition of the tournament. The French striker etched his name into football folklore during the 1958 World Cup in Sweden by scoring an astonishing 13 goals in just six matches—a record for the most goals scored by a player in a single World Cup, a feat that still stands today.
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Who has scored the most goals in a World Cup? Just Fontaine holds a unique record: all 13 of his World Cup goals came
Fontaine’s campaign began with a bang as he netted a hat-trick in France's 7-3 victory over Paraguay in the group stage. His scoring spree continued throughout the tournament, with Fontaine finding the net in every match France played. Even in the semi-final against a dominant Brazil led by a young Pele, Fontaine managed to score one of France’s two goals in a 5-2 loss. The French team ultimately finished third, thanks to Fontaine’s remarkable four-goal performance in the playoff against Germany, which turned out to be his final World Cup match.
4. Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 13 goals
Lionel Messi’s FIFA World Cup journey reached its pinnacle in 2022 when the Argentine maestro delivered a career-defining performance in Qatar. Entering the tournament with six goals in 19 matches across four previous editions, Messi was far from the top of the all-time scoring charts. However, his remarkable campaign saw him net seven goals in seven games, catapulting him to a total of 13 goals across 26 World Cup appearances—an achievement only surpassed by three players in history.
What made Messi’s 2022 World Cup so special was not just the goals, but when and how they came. Before Qatar, all of Messi’s World Cup goals had been in the group stages. That changed dramatically as the talismanic forward scored in each of the four knockout rounds, becoming the first player to achieve this feat. His brilliance culminated in the final against France, where he scored twice and played a pivotal role in Argentina's dramatic victory.
5. Pelé (Brazil) – 12 Goals
Pele’s extraordinary journey at the FIFA World Cup began in 1958 when a 17-year-old Brazilian prodigy stunned the world with his remarkable talent. Despite starting the tournament nursing a knee injury, Pele earned a spot in Brazil’s squad and made his World Cup debut against the Soviet Union in the final group match. Though he didn’t score in his first outing, he provided an assist and displayed glimpses of the brilliance that would soon define his career.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, Pelé scored 12 goals across four World Cups
The final against hosts Sweden was Pele’s crowning moment. With two brilliant goals, he became the youngest scorer in a World Cup final, leading Brazil to their first-ever title. His unforgettable contributions in 1958 set the foundation for his legendary career, where he would go on to win three World Cup titles and score a total of 12 goals in just 14 World Cup matches.
6. Kylian Mbappe (France) - 12 goals
Who has scored the most goals in World Cup? Kylian Mbappe has quickly etched his name among football’s elite, achieving a remarkable record of 12 World Cup goals in just 14 appearances across two tournaments—Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. At just 24 years old, the French striker has already established himself as one of the greatest players to grace the global stage.
Kylian Mbappe has quickly etched his name among football’s elite, achieving a remarkable record of 12 World Cup goals
Mbappe burst onto the scene in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, scoring four goals, including a stunning strike in the final against Croatia. His long-range effort not only sealed France’s 4-2 victory but also made him the second teenager ever to score in a World Cup final, following in the footsteps of the legendary Pele in 1958. This triumph marked the beginning of Mbappe’s meteoric rise to football stardom.
Conclusion
Who has the most goals in the World Cup? Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 goals in the World Cup is a testament to his incredible consistency and poise on the international stage. The allure of the World Cup ensures that the race for the most goals will continue to captivate fans for generations to come. Whether Klose’s record will stand the test of time or be surpassed in future tournaments remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the legacy of World Cup goal scorers will forever be a vital part of football’s rich history.
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