Ronaldo still in the top 10?
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When the 2026 World Cup ends on July 19th at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, there will not only be a new title holder or defender, but possibly also a new World Cup record goalscorer. Since Germany’s triumph in Brazil in 2014, Miroslav Klose has led the rankings with 16 goals from 24 World Cup games. However, two top stars, who also determined the final in Qatar in 2022, are close on the heels of the most dangerous player in DFB history. Klose himself is convinced that his World Cup record will fall (see full statistics). If not this year in Canada, Mexico and the USA then probably by 2030 at the latest.
“I am sure that my World Cup goal record will be broken soon,” said the 47-year-old coach of 1. FC Nürnberg in an interview with “Sport Bild” in January. “Either Lionel Messi will do it this summer or Kylian Mbappé will do it at the World Cup at the latest.” A factor for Klose: In contrast to him, the Argentine Messi, who has 13 goals in 26 World Cup games, and the Frenchman Mbappé (twelve goals in 14 games) would also take penalties.
Klose is number one on the leaderboard with 16 goals, ahead of Brazilian Ronaldo (15). Third is Gerd Müller with 14 goals, followed by Messi (13) and Just Fontaine, who only played at the 1958 World Cup but scored an incredible 13 goals in six games. Mbappé has twelve goals to his name (see complete statistics). The 38-year-old Messi is certain to take part in the 2026 World Cup, provided no injury intervenes. The Albiceleste captain last missed his team’s game in October 2025. The 27-year-old Mbappé is likely to still be active in the tournament held on three continents in four years and possibly beyond.
All-time World Cup top scorers list: Ronaldo and Kane in the top 10?
In contrast to Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo has not played an increased role in the all-time World Cup goalscorer list. The two, together with the Mexicans Antonio Carbajal, Rafa Márquez and Andrés Guardado as well as DFB record player Lothar Matthäus, are the record participants in World Cups with five participations each. Ronaldo contributed eight goals in 22 games. So it’s quite possible that he will make it into the top 10 at his sixth World Cup, assuming nothing goes wrong. To do this he would need at least two hits.
This also applies to England and Bayern striker Harry Kane (eight goals in eleven World Cup games) and, theoretically, the Brazilian Neymar (eight goals in 13 games). However, it is questionable that he is in the Seleção squad. Although active, there is no longer a question mark behind Thomas Müller, who has ended his national team career. The 2014 world champion and top scorer in 2010 has ten goals in 19 games. He is one of five Germans in the top 10, which includes 15 (former) professionals due to several players with ten goals.
“I still think I have the most wins at a World Cup and am the only player who has played in four semi-finals,” emphasized Klose. “Then these are a few things that remain with me.” The former striker has won 17 games, but with 16, Messi is hot on his heels there too and should have an even better chance of overtaking Klose there than in goals. The top scorer was in the semi-finals with the German team in 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014.
