Lionel Messi became the all-time leading goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history on June 23, 2026 [1].

The achievement cements Messi's legacy as the most prolific scorer in the tournament's history, shifting a long-standing record that had defined the competition for years.

Messi surpassed the previous record of 16 goals held by Germany's Miroslav Klose [2]. While some reports indicated a tie following a hat-trick against Algeria, other records confirm Messi has moved beyond Klose to claim the sole top spot [2].

France's Kylian Mbappé is also climbing the historical rankings. Mbappé currently has 14 career World Cup goals [3]. This total places him third on the all-time list, though he remains in close pursuit of the lead as the tournament progresses [1].

The record-breaking events occurred during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico [1]. The competition has seen a high level of scoring from veteran stars and emerging talents alike.

Mbappé's recent goals have kept him within striking distance of the record [1]. His ascent on the list highlights a transition of power in global football, as the French forward continues to challenge the dominance of the older generation of strikers [3].

“Messi became the all-time leading goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history”

Messi's ascension to the top of the scoring list represents a historic milestone in international football, effectively ending the era of Miroslav Klose's dominance. The narrow gap between Messi and Mbappé suggests that the record may be volatile, as Mbappé's trajectory indicates he could potentially reclaim the top spot in future appearances.