Lionel Messi has equaled the all-time FIFA World Cup goalscoring record after delivering a spectacular hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 triumph over Algeria, marking the commencement of the 2026 tournament. This three-goal showcase elevated Messi’s World Cup total to 16 goals, putting him on par with the record established by German football icon Miroslav Klose.
With the tournament still in its early stages, Messi is now in a prime position to become the top goalscorer in World Cup history. However, he faces strong competition from France’s Kylian Mbappé, who also demonstrated his scoring prowess by netting twice in his team’s opening victory against Senegal, bringing his own World Cup total to 14 goals.
Mbappé’s achievement is particularly notable given that he reached this milestone in just 15 World Cup appearances, showcasing an impressive scoring efficiency. Messi, on the other hand, has matched Klose’s record after 27 matches. The French forward remains a formidable contender as the tournament advances.
The World Cup’s all-time scoring leaderboard features other legendary names alongside Messi and Klose, such as Brazil’s Ronaldo with 15 goals, Germany’s Gerd Müller with 14, France’s Just Fontaine with 13, and Brazil’s Pelé with 12. Additionally, Gabriel Batistuta and Harry Kane have each scored 10 goals in World Cup history.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup progresses, the battle for football’s most prestigious goalscoring record is poised to be one of the tournament’s most captivating narratives. Messi is on the brink of making history, while Mbappé is eager to usher in a new era at the top of the scoring charts.