Lionel Messi Ties Miroslav Klose's World Cup Goal Record

Charlie Zschau Updated: 12 hours ago

Lionel Messi tied the record for most goals in World Cup History.

Lionel Messi entered the 2026 World Cup with 13 goals in 26 appearances in the tournament. Messi's 13 goals were the fifth most by a player in World Cup history, and in Argentina's first match of 2026 against Algeria, he scored a hat trick to tie Germany's Miroslav Klose's record tally of 16 goals.

Klose claimed the goal record from the clinical Brazilian forward Ronaldo in 2014, and his record lasted 12 years before the G.O.A.T. was able to tie it.

The 5' 7" forward was clinical against Algeria in the first match of Argentina's title defense, scoring all three of the team's goals on six total shots. Messi buried three of the four shots he got on target. If it weren't for a tight offside decision in the first half, Messi would have had a fourth goal in the match and would be sitting alone at the top of the World Cup charts.

Messi's is now tied for the most World Cup goals (16), World Cup assists (8), and is the sole leader in World Cup appearances by a player (27).

The greatest player of all time won his World Cup in 2022, and is determined to capture every record within reach.

Most world Cup goals of all-time

Player (Country)	World Cup Appearances	World Cup Goals
Lionel Messi (Argentina)	2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2024	16
Miroslav Klose (Germany)	2002, 2006, 2010, 2014	16
Ronaldo (Brazil)	1994, 1998, 2002, 2006	15
Gerd Muller (West Germany)	1970, 1974	14
Kylian Mbappe (France)	2018, 2022, 2024	14
Just Fontaine (France)	1958	13
Pele (Brazil)	1958, 1962, 1966, 1970	12

Messi is widely considered the best footballer ever, and his 41 individual trophies, 40 club trophies, and five International trophies confidently back up the case.

Check out every major trophy in Lionel Messi's incredible cabinet on site.