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Miroslav Klose, Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Pele, Gerd Muller and Just Fontaine among the many greats to feature.
FIFA
Miroslav Klose tops the overall World Cup scoring chart
Brazil great Ronaldo stands just one goal behind
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe the closest active challengers
Ever since its inception in 1930, the FIFA World Cup™ has brought together the globe's greatest players in a celebration of the beautiful game.
Across the years there have been 2,720 goals scored in 964 matches in the 22 editions of the tournament so far.
Here, FIFA lists the leading marksmen in World Cup history, with one man heading the pack as holder of the all-time record ahead of FIFA World Cup 26™ in Canada, Mexico and USA.
Miroslav Klose - Germany
BERLIN - JUNE 30: Miroslav Klose of Germany celebrates scoring an equalising goal during the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Quarter-final match between Germany and Argentina played at the Olympic Stadium on June 30, 2006 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Brazil's forward Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the second goal against Germany during match 64 of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea Japan final 30 June, 2002 in Yokohama, Japan. Brazil won the championship 2-0, having now won a record five World Cup titles.AFP PHOTO GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)
Goals: 15
World Cups: Four - 1994 (no goals), 1998 (four goals), 2002 (eight goals), 2006 (three goals)
Matches played: 19
Video: Ronaldo | Brazil | Classic Players
Gerd Muller - West Germany
West Germany 2-1 Holland | West Germany's Gerd Muller, scorer of the winning goal, waves to the crowd as the team parade the trophy on a lap of honour after the match.
Goals: 14
World Cups: Two - 1970 (10 goals), 1974 (four goals)
Matches played: 13
Video: Gerd Müller | Germany FR | Classic Players
Just Fontaine - France
Fussball-Weltmeisterschaft 28.06.1958 Deutschland - Frankreich 3:6/ Just Fontaine FR Aktion vor Karl-Heinz Schnellinger mitte, links hinten Horst Szymaniak HM
Goals: 13
World Cups: One - 1958
Matches played: Six
Video: Just Fontaine | France | Classic Players
Lionel Messi - Argentina
LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 18: Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates scoring their team's third goal past Hugo Lloris of France during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Goals: 13
World Cups: Five - 2006 (one goal), 2010 (no goals), 2014 (four goals), 2018 (one goal), 2022 (seven goals)
Matches played: 26
Video: Lionel Messi | All FIFA World Cup goals with Argentina
Kylian Mbappe - France
DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 26: France striker Kylian Mbappe celebrates with the fansafter scoring the second goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group D match between France and Denmark at Stadium 974 on November 26, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Goals: 12
World Cups: Two - 2018 (four goals), 2022 (eight goals)
Matches played: 14
Video: Kylian Mbappé | All FIFA World Cup goals with France
Pele - Brazil
Sport, Football, 1970 World Cup Final, Mexico City, Mexico, 21st June 1970, Brazil 4 v Italy 1, Brazil's Pele is chaired off the Azteca Stadium pitch wearing a sombrero after Brazil had won the World Cup trophy for the third time (Photo by Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)
17 JUN 1994: JUERGEN KLINSMANN OF GERMANY CELEBRATES AFTER SCORING THE ONLY GOAL TO BEAT BOLIVIA IN THE OPENING GAME OF THE 1994 WORLD CUP AT SOLDIER FIELD IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill/ALLSPORT
Goals: 11
World Cups: Three - 1990 (three goals), 1994 (five goals), 1998 (three goals)
Matches played: 17
Video: Jürgen Klinsmann | Germany | Classic Players
Sandor Kocsis - Hungary
Sandor Kocsis Hungary World Cup 1954
Goals: 11
World Cups: One - 1954
Matches played: Five
Video: Germany FR v Hungary | 1954 FIFA World Cup Switzerland™ | Classic Matches
Gabriel Batistuta - Argentina
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: Argentine soccer star Gabriel Batistuta (9) celebrates scoring the first goal against Chile 29 March, 2000, at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires in their World Cup 2002 elimination match. Batistuta's teammates Cristian Gonzalez (L) and Sebastian Veron also celebrate. AFP PHOTO / Daniel GARCIA (Photo credit should read DANIEL GARCIA/AFP via Getty Images)
Goals: 10
World Cups: Three - 1994 (four goals), 1998 (five goals), 2002 (one goal)
Matches played: 12
Video: Gabriel Batistuta | Silver Shoe Award | 1998 FIFA World Cup France™
Teofilo Cubillas - Peru
Weltmeisterschaft Vorrunde, Peru - Iran in Cordoba: Teofilo Cubillas (Peru)..World Cup Fight Peru Iran in Cordoba Teofilo Cubillas Peru
Goals: 10
World Cups: Three - 1970 (five goals), 1978 (five goals), 1982 (no goals)
Matches played: 13
Video: Teófilo Cubillas | Silver Boot Award | 1978 FIFA World Cup Argentina™
Grzegorz Lato - Poland
1982 World Cup Finals, Second Phase, Barcelona, Spain, 28th June, 1982, Poland 3 v Belgium 0, Poland's Grzegorz Lato beats Belgium's Luc Millechamps to cross the ball for Poland's first goal (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)
Goals: 10
World Cups: Three - 1974 (seven goals), 1978 (two goals), 1982 (one goal)
Matches played: 20
Video: Grzegorz Lato | Top Goalscorer | 1974 FIFA World Cup Germany™
Gary Lineker - England
1990 World Cup Semi Final, Turin, Italy, 4th July, 1990, West Germany 1 v England 1, (West Germany win 4-3 on penalties), England's Gary Lineker celebrates after scoring the equalising goal to force the match in to extra time (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)
Goals: 10
World Cups: Two - 1986 (six goals), 1990 (four goals)
Matches played: 12
Video: Gary Lineker | Golden Shoe Award | 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico™
Thomas Muller - Germany
Goals: 10
World Cups: Four - 2010 (five goals), 2014 (five goals), 2018 (no goals), 2022 (no goals)
Matches played: 19
Video: Thomas Muller | All FIFA World Cup goals with Germany
Helmut Rahn - West Germany
Helmut Rahn World Cup West Germany 1958
Goals: 10
World Cups: Two - 1954 (four goals), 1958 (six goals)
Matches played: 10
Video: German Giants | 1954 FIFA World Cup™ Official Film
Ademir - Brazil
Brazil forward Ademir is challenged by Uruguay defender Rodriguez Andrade but still shoots towards goal during the World Cup Final on 16 July 1950 at the Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro. Uruguay defeated Brazil 2-1.
Goals: 9
World Cups: One - 1950
Matches played: Six
Video: Every top scorer in FIFA World Cup history
Roberto Baggio - Italy
13 Jul 1994: Robert Baggio of Italy celebrates with the crowd after scoring during the World Cup semi-final against Bulgaria at the Giants Stadium in New York, USA. Italy won the match 2-1. \ Mandatory Credit: Simon Bruty/Allsport
Goals: 9
World Cups: Three - 1990 (two goals), 1994 (five goals), 1998 (two goals)
Matches played: 16
Video: Roberto Baggio | Silver Ball Award | 1994 FIFA World Cup USA™
Eusebio - Portugal
ENGLAND 1966-07-13 Eus bio da Silva Ferreira, portugisisk fotbollsspelare 1942-2014. Porträtt under forbolls-VM i England 13:e juli 1966. Storbritannien x10x *** ENGLAND 1966 07 13 Eus bio da Silva Ferreira, Portuguese footballer 1942 2014 Portrait during the pre-ball World Cup in England 13th July 1966 Great Britain x10x PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxDENxNORxSWExFIN Copyright: xJanxDelden/EXP/TTx EUSEBIO 1966
Goals: 9
World Cups: One - 1966
Matches played: Six
Video: Eusébio | Top goalscorer | 1966 FIFA World Cup England™
Jairzinho - Brazil
1970 World Cup Final, Azteca Stadium, Mexico, 21st June, 1970, Brazil 4 v Italy 1, Brazil's Jairzinho celebrates after walking the ball into the net for his side's third goal, making him the first player to score a goal in every game (Photo by Rolls Press/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Goals: 9
World Cups: Three - 1966 (no goals), 1970 (seven goals), 1974 (two goals)
Matches played: 16
Video: Jairzinho | Silver Boot Award | 1970 FIFA World Cup Mexico™
Paolo Rossi - Italy
1982 World Cup Final, Madrid, Spain, 11th July, 1982, Italy 3 v West Germany 1, Italy's Paolo Rossi celebrates after scoring the opening goal in the World Cup Final (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)
Goals: 9
World Cups: Two - 1978 (three goals), 1982 (six goals)
Matches played: 14
Video: Paolo Rossi | Golden Ball Award | 1982 FIFA World Cup Spain™
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge - West Germany
German professional footballer, forward with Bayern Munich and captain of the West Germany national football team, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (#11) pictured about to pass the ball during the 1982 FIFA World Cup Group 2 game between West Germany and Austria at El Molinon stadium in Gijon, Spain on 25th June 1982. West Germany would go on to win the game 1-0. (Photo by Professional Sport/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Goals: 9
World Cups: Three - 1978 (three goals), 1982 (five goals), 1986 (one goal)
Matches played: 19
Video: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge I Silver Boot Award - 1982 FIFA World Cup Spain™
Uwe Seeler - West Germany
Bildnummer: 09341502 Datum: 30.07.1966 Copyright: imago/Pressefoto Baumann..WM Finale 1966 im Wembley Stadion in London - England - BR Deutschland 4:2 n.V. - Uwe Seeler (BRD); 002D Fussball Herren L‰nderspiel Nationalteam DFB GER BRD BR WM Finale sw vneg xdp xmk ysf 1966 quer....Image number 09341502 date 30 07 1966 Copyright imago Baumann World Cup Final 1966 in Wembley Stadium in London England BR Germany 4 2 n v Uwe Seeler Germany Football men international match National team DFB ger Germany BR World Cup Final SW Vneg xmk YSF 1966 horizontal
Video: Uwe Seeler Goal 82' | Germany FR vs England | 1970 FIFA World Cup Mexico™
Vava - Brazil
ARKIV 19580624 Brasiliens Vava gör Brasiliens första mal bakom Frankrikes malvakt Claude Abbes i semifinalen i Fotbolls-VM mellan Brasilien och Frankrike pa Rasunda Fotbollsstadion i Solna, Sverige, 24:e juni 1958. Brasilien vann med 5-2. STOCKHOLM SVERIGE x20360x *** ARCHIVE 19580624 Brazils Vava scores Brazils first goal behind Frances goalkeeper Claude Abbes in the semi-final of the Football World Cup between Brazil and France at Rasunda Fotbollsstadion in Solna, Sweden, June 24, 1958 Brazil won by 5 2 STOCKHOLM SWEDEN x20360x PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxDENxNORxSWExFIN Copyright: xSvensktxPressfotox/xTTx FOTBOLLS-VM 1958
Goals: 9
World Cups: Two - 1958 (five goals), 1962 (four goals)
Matches played: 10
Video: Viva Brasil | 1962 FIFA World Cup™ Official Film
Christian Vieri - Italy
SAPPORO - JUNE 3: Christian Vieri of Italy celebrates scoring his first goal during the Group G match against Ecuador of the World Cup Group Stages played at the Sapporo Dome, Sapporo, Japan on June 3, 2002. Italy won the match 2-0. (Photo by Koji Aoki/ AFLO/Getty Images)
Goals: 9
World Cups: Two - 1998 (five goals), 2002 (four goals)
Matches played: Nine
Video: Christian Vieri I Silver Boot Award - 1998 FIFA World Cup France™
David Villa - Spain
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 25: David Villa of Spain celebrates scoring the opening goal with team mates Xabi Alonso and Xavi Hernandez during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group H match between Chile and Spain at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on June 25, 2010 in Tshwane/Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)
Goals: 9
World Cups: Three - 2006 (three goals), 2010 (five goals), 2014 (one goal)
Matches played: 12
