World Cup: see list of the greatest scorers in the tournament's history
The World Cup has always been football's greatest stage.
Since the first edition, in 1930, some players have transformed the tournament into a territory of records and memorable achievements. Among them, few have achieved a particularly coveted milestone: becoming one of the greatest scorers in World Cup history.
At the top of the list is German Miroslav Klose, who scored 16 goals in four editions of the World Cup (2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014). The record was achieved in Brazil, during the 7-1 in 2014, when he surpassed Brazilian Ronaldo, who had scored 15 goals and led the ranking since the 2006 World Cup.
Greatest World Cup scorers
Over almost a century of tournament play, few athletes have managed to reach double digits in goals in World Cups. Among the main names on the historical list are:
- Miroslav Klose (Germany) - 16 goals
- Ronaldo (Brazil) - 15 goals
- Gerd Müller (Germany) - 14 goals
- Just Fontaine (France) - 13 goals
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 13 goals
- Pelé (Brazil) - 12 goals
- Kylian Mbappé (France) - 12 goals
- Sándor Kocsis (Hungary) - 11 goals
- Jürgen Klinsmann (Germany) - 11 goals
World Cup facts: Miroslav Klose is still the top scorer in the tournament's history | CNN PRIME TIME
Records that cross generations
Among the most curious cases is that of the Frenchman Just Fontaine, responsible for a record that has remained untouched since 1958.
In the World Cup held in Sweden, he scored an impressive 13 goals in just six matches and, to this day, it is the highest score in a single edition of the World Cup.
World Cup facts: In just one World Cup, Just Fontaine scored 13 goals | CNN PRIME TIME
Another historic name is Gerd Müller, a West German striker who scored 14 goals in just two World Cups, in 1970 and 1974. His average of more than one goal per game made him one of the most efficient scorers in the history of the tournament.
Among Brazilians, the highlight continues to be Ronaldo, protagonist of the 2002 title. The "Phenomenon" scored eight goals in that edition, including two in the final against Germany, and ended his career as the second highest scorer in the history of the World Cups.
Who can achieve the record?
The historical list could still change in the coming years. Active players already appear among the top scorers, such as Lionel Messi, with 13 goals, and Kylian Mbappé, who has 12 after just two World Cups played.
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, played in the United States, Mexico and Canada, both appear as candidates to threaten Klose's brand, depending on new participation and deep campaigns in the tournament.
How the 2026 World Cup format works: groups, phases and changes
Source: CNN