The FIFA World Cup has witnessed some of the greatest footballers carve their names into history with outstanding goal-scoring performances. Since the tournament began in 1930, it has offered a global stage for players to display their skills, and a select few have risen to become all-time leading goal scorers.
Top Five All-Time FIFA World Cup Goal Scorers
| Player | Country | Goals | World Cups Played | Years | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miroslav Klose | Germany | 16 | 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 | 2002-2014 | All-time top scorer; World Cup winner (2014) |
| Ronaldo | Brazil | 15 | 1998, 2002, 2006 | 1998-2006 | Top scorer in 2002; World Cup winner (2002) |
| Gerd Müller | West Germany | 14 | 1970, 1974 | 1970-1974 | Scored winner in 1974 final; World Cup winner (1974) |
| Just Fontaine | France | 13 | 1958 | 1958 | Most goals in a single tournament (13 in 1958) |
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 13 | 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 | 2006-2022 | Golden Ball winner (2014, 2022); World Cup winner (2022) |
1. Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 16 Goals
Miroslav Klose tops the list of all-time FIFA World Cup scorers with 16 goals, achieved over four tournaments (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014). In his World Cup debut in 2002, he netted 5 goals, leading Germany to the final. He added another 5 goals in 2006 and 4 more in 2010 before scoring his 16th, record-breaking goal in the 2014 semifinal against Brazil. His career highlight was winning the World Cup with Germany in 2014.
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2. Ronaldo (Brazil) – 15 Goals
Brazilian striker Ronaldo scored 15 goals in three World Cups (1998, 2002, 2006). In 1998, he netted 4 goals as Brazil finished as runners-up. In 2002, he was the tournament’s top scorer with 8 goals, including two in the final against Germany, leading Brazil to their fifth World Cup title. Despite injury setbacks, Ronaldo scored 3 more goals in 2006, holding the scoring record until 2014.
3. Gerd Müller (West Germany) – 14 Goals
Gerd Müller was an incredible scorer for West Germany, with 14 goals in two World Cups (1970, 1974). He scored 10 goals in 1970, taking Germany to the semifinals. In 1974, he added 4 more goals, including the winning goal in the final against the Netherlands, helping West Germany win the trophy on home soil.
4. Just Fontaine (France) – 13 Goals
Just Fontaine’s record of 13 goals in a single World Cup, set in 1958, has yet to be broken. The French striker’s incredible run in Sweden included scoring four goals in the third-place match against West Germany. Although he only played in one World Cup, his sharp finishing skills and ability to score from various positions made him a standout figure, leading France to a third-place finish—their best at that time.
5. Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 13 Goals
Lionel Messi scored 13 goals across five World Cups. He made his debut in 2006, scoring once as a teenager. In 2010, although he didn’t score, Messi provided crucial assists and led Argentina’s attack. He netted 4 goals in 2014 and was named the tournament’s best player, taking Argentina to the final. In 2018, he added one goal but faced an early exit. His crowning moment came in 2022, where he scored 7 goals, including two in the final, leading Argentina to World Cup victory and winning the Golden Ball.
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