With Messi at the top, see how the historic World Cup score is

The 2026 World Cup caused a historic change in the list of the tournament's top scorers. With the goals scored throughout the competition, Lionel Messi reached 16 goals in World Cups and equaled the mark of German Miroslav Klose, now sharing the top of the all-time ranking.

The Argentine, world champion in 2022, achieved the feat after playing in his sixth edition of the tournament and further expanding the numbers that already placed him among the greatest players in the history of the competition.

Following behind are other legendary names in world football. Brazilian Ronaldo has 15 goals and occupies third place alone. Next are Gerd Müller, from West Germany, and Kylian Mbappé, from France, both with 14 goals scored.

The list also brings together icons from different generations, such as Just Fontaine, Pelé, Gary Lineker, Gabriel Batistuta and Thomas Müller. Among the highlights, Fontaine continues to hold a record that is difficult to achieve: he scored 13 goals in just one edition, the 1958 World Cup.

Check out the top scorers in World Cup history:

- Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 16 goals
- Miroslav Klose (Germany) - 16 goals
- Ronaldo (Brazil) - 15 goals
- Gerd Müller (West Germany) - 14 goals
- Kylian Mbappé (France) - 14 goals
- Just Fontaine (France) - 13 goals
- Pelé (Brazil) - 12 goals
- Sándor Kocsis (Hungary) - 11 goals
- Jürgen Klinsmann (Germany) - 11 goals
- Gary Lineker (England) - 10 goals
- Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina) - 10 goals
- Teófilo Cubillas (Peru) - 10 goals
- Thomas Müller (Germany) - 10 goals

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Source: CNN