MIROSLAV Klose’s record World Cup goal tally had stood since 2014, but it has FINALLY been surpassed!
The outright record has been surpassed by TWO icons in what has already been a thrilling World Cup.
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Lionel Messi has broken anothe record Credit: Reuters
Klose held the record since 2014 Credit: Getty
Who currently holds the record for the most goals in men’s World Cup history?
Argentina GOAT Lionel Messi drew level with Germany legend Miroslav Klose as the leading scorer in men’s World Cup history with a stunning hat-trick against Algeria on June 16.
But his two goals against Austria on June 22 helped him surpass Klose’s record!
Klose set the mark during the extraordinary 7-1 demolition of hosts Brazil in the 2014 semi-final, moving him clear of Brazil’s Ronaldo Nazario, who finished his career on 15.
Germany went on to win the final against Argentina 1-0, with Klose retiring from international football just weeks after lifting the trophy.
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He scored his 16 goals across four consecutive World Cups between 2002 and 2014, including five at the 2006 tournament on home soil, earning him the Golden Boot.
Ahead of the 2026 tournament, Klose told German outlet Suddeutsche Zeitung: “I expect my record to be broken at this World Cup.
“This is an expanded edition – there are more matches and therefore more opportunities to score.
“Both Messi and [Kylian] Mbappe will go far, and that is absolutely fine. The record was always going to be broken eventually.
“If it happens, I would be pleased if it were Messi. I have always been a huge fan of his. He is a genius.”
Which other active superstars are reaching for Klose and Messi’s records?
Kylian Mbappe is the closest current challenger, sitting on 16 World Cup goals – level with Klose after a brace against Senegal on June 16.
The Real Madrid striker is only the second player in history to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, having done so in the 3-3 draw that France lost on penalties to Argentina in 2022.
He also won the Golden Boot at the tournament with eight goals.
His two strikes against Senegal also moved him past Olivier Giroud as France men’s all-time leading scorer.
At just 27, with potentially two more World Cups ahead of him and France carrying genuine title hopes in 2026, Mbappe is widely considered the likeliest player to hold the record in the future.
Harry Kane is on 10 World Cup goals after his brace against Croatia on June 17, drawing level with Gary Lineker as England’s record World Cup scorer.
The Bayern Munich ace knows what it takes to win the Golden Boot, having claimed the award in 2018 with six goals in Russia.
He is six short of Messi and Klose’s all-time mark, but few would bet against him adding to his tally with Panama and Ghana still to come in the group stage, especially as England’s first-choice penalty taker.
Erling Haaland also made his presence felt on his World Cup debut, scoring twice in Norway’s 4-1 win over Iraq on June 16.
At 25, the Man City striker has barely started his World Cup journey, but his long-term threat to any record should never be underestimated.
