World Cup Top Scorers: It is a dream of every player to participate and represent their country on the FIFA World Cup grand stage. While some individuals achieve this dream, only a select few have the honor of lifting the coveted trophy. Throughout the history of the competition, the world’s greatest players have displayed their skills and abilities. Many of them have scored many goals, playing a crucial role in helping their national teams secure victory and earning the title of highest goal-scorers in the FIFA World Cup.
It has been held every four years since 1930, bringing together the strongest footballing nations to compete for the coveted title of world champion.
Top 10 World Cup Best Scorer
Throughout the history of the World Cup, several players have stood out for their remarkable goal-scoring achievements. These players are revered as legends in their respective countries and are celebrated for their exceptional goal-scoring prowess.
10. Helmut Rahn
- Team: West Germany
- Goal Scored: 10
- Matches Played: 10
- Average: 1.00
- World Cup: 1954†, 1958
Helmut Rahn was one of the finest footballers of the 1950s. He possessed great speed, athleticism, and most notably, an exceptional ability to score goals. He is particularly renowned for his crucial role in Germany’s victory at the 1954 World Cup, a victory that left a lasting impact on the nation.
Rahn is hailed as a hero of the “Miracle of Bern” in 1954, where Germany victory in the World Cup against the heavily favored Hungarian team in the final. His crucial contribution included scoring two goals in the final, which elevated him to the status of a true idol in Germany.
With a total of 10 goals in 10 matches across the 1954 and 1958 World Cups, Helmut Rahn holds the 10th position in the ranking of the top goal scorers in the history of the World Cup.
9. Jurgen Klinsmann
- Team: West Germany, Germany
- Goal Scored: 11
- Matches Played: 17
- Average: 0.65
- World Cup: 1990† 1994, 1998
Jürgen Klinsmann had a remarkable career playing for some of the greatest European clubs in history. He was a prolific goal scorer and achieved success with Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, and Tottenham. Throughout his career, he scored nearly 300 goals, showcasing his versatility and unpredictability as a striker.
He was a part of the German team that won the World Cup in 1990 and also participated in the following two editions of the tournament. Additionally, Klinsmann played a crucial role in Germany’s victory at Euro 1996. With 47 goals, including 11 in the World Cup, in 108 appearances, he is considered one of the greatest German players of all time.
8. Sándor Kocsis
- Team: Hungary
- Goal Scored: 11
- Matches Played: 5
- Average: 2.20
- World Cup: 1954
Sándor Kocsis was a legendary striker of the 1950s and 1960s. He was an exceptional goal scorer with impressive statistics and could find the net in any situation. He was particularly renowned for his heading game, which earned him the nickname “Golden Helmet,” but he was also a well-rounded attacker with great agility and proficiency with both feet.
Kocsis also achieved legendary status with the Hungarian national team. He scored an incredible 75 goals in just 68 games, displaying an impressive goal-scoring ratio. Eleven of his goals came in the 1954 World Cup, where he became the tournament’s top scorer.
Unfortunately, despite his remarkable performance, Hungary lost in the final against Germany and did not win the competition. Nevertheless, Kocsis remains one of the top goal-scorers in the history of the World Cup.
7. Kylian Mbappé
- Team: France
- Goal Scored: 12
- Matches Played: 14
- Average: 0.86
- World Cup: 2018†, 2022
Kylian Mbappé has scored 12 goals in 14 matches in two FIFA World Cup tournaments (2018 and 2022). He is the second-highest goal-scorer for France in the World Cup, with Just Fontaine holding the top spot.
In the 2022 final, Mbappé scored a hat-trick, but unfortunately, Argentina defeated France 4-2. Mbappé was recognized with the Golden Boot Award. His record of scoring goals in the World Cup is truly impressive, especially considering his young age. At just 24 years old, he has already scored more World Cup goals than some legendary players Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane.
Given Mbappé’s current skill level and performance, it is possible that he could surpass the all-time World Cup goalscoring record in the future.
6. Pele
- Team: Brazil
- Goal Scored: 12
- Matches Played: 14
- Average: 0.86
- World Cup: 1958†, 1962†, 1966, 1970†
Pelé is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He was a versatile striker, combining athleticism, physicality, and exceptional technical skills. His goal-scoring abilities were extraordinary, and he still holds records to this day. His influence on football has been immense and has helped establish Brazil as a powerhouse in the sport.
Pelé is most renowned for his remarkable achievements with the Brazilian national team. He is considered one of the greatest Brazilian players of all time. In 92 international matches, he scored an impressive 77 goals and notably won the World Cup three times in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
Pelé is the only player in history to have achieved this remarkable feat. With 12 goals in 14 World Cup matches, he ranks sixth among the highest scorers in the history of the tournament.
5. Lionel Messi
- Team: Argentina
- Goal Scored: 13
- Matches Played: 26
- Average: 0.50
- World Cup: 2006, (2010), 2014, 2018, 2022†
Lionel Messi has scored 13 goals in 26 matches across five FIFA World Cup tournaments (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022). He is Argentina’s top goal-scorer in the World Cup and ranks fifth overall in the history of the tournament.
In the 2022 World Cup final, Messi scored two goals to help Argentina defeat France 4-2. This victory marked Messi’s first World Cup title, and he was recognized as the tournament’s best player by receiving the Golden Ball award.
Although Messi’s goal-scoring record in the World Cup is impressive, it is not as high as his record in other competitions. Nonetheless, Messi’s goals in the World Cup have been crucial in Argentina’s journey to the final on two occasions. Considering that Messi is still performing at a high level, there is a possibility that he could add more goals to his World Cup tally in the future.
4. Just Fontaine
- Team: France
- Goal Scored: 13
- Matches Played: 6
- Average: 2.17
- World Cup: 1958
Just Fontaine, a French international player and a legend of OGC Nice and Stade de Reims, was an exceptional goal scorer with an impressive goals-per-game ratio. He could score from any position and was particularly dangerous with his heading game.
Just Fontaine is regarded as one of the greatest French players in history. He played in 21 international matches and scored a total of 30 goals. Fontaine is most renowned for his goal-scoring record during the 1958 World Cup. He scored an incredible 13 goals in just six games, a record that has never been matched or surpassed. As a result, Fontaine ranks as the fourth-highest scorer in the history of the World Cup with 13 goals.
3. Gerd Muller
- Team: West Germany
- Goal Scored: 14
- Matches Played: 13
- Average: 1.08
- World Cup: 1970, 1974†
Gerd Müller, a legendary striker from Bayern Munich and Germany, was nicknamed “Der Bomber” due to his exceptional goal-scoring ability. He was known for his speed, technical skills, and explosive power, making him a formidable striker. Müller’s effectiveness in front of the goal placed him in the third position among the highest goal scorers in the history of the World Cup.
Gerd Müller scored 68 goals in 62 appearances and was a key player in winning the Euro 1972 and the 1974 World Cup. He holds the third position in the all-time leading goal scorers list of the World Cup, with 14 goals in 13 games. His remarkable achievements place him among the greatest goal-scorers in football history.
2. Ronaldo
- Team: Brazil
- Goal Scored: 15
- Matches Played: 19
- Average: 0.79
- World Cup: [1994], 1998, 2002†, 2006
Ronaldo, the Brazilian striker, left a lasting impression on football fans during the 1990s and 2000s. He was known for his incredible skill and agility, making him one of the best dribblers ever. He was also a fast and highly effective goal scorer, which helped him become one of the top scorers in World Cup history.
Ronaldo’s performances in the national team were remarkable. He played in 98 international matches and scored 62 goals. His standout moment was leading Brazil to victory in the 2002 World Cup, where he also became the tournament’s top scorer with 8 goals.
Ronaldo scored 15 goals in 19 World Cup matches. He is not only considered one of the greatest Strikers of all time but also ranks among the greatest goal-scorers in World Cup history.
1. Miroslav Klose
- Team: Germany
- Goal Scored: 16
- Matches Played: 24
- Average: 0.67
- World Cup: 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014†
Miroslav Klose is a talented German soccer player who played for top clubs Bayern Munich and Lazio. He is known for his speed, strength, and scoring ability, especially when using his head to score goals. He holds the record for the most goals scored in the history of the World Cup.
Above all, Miroslav Klose is considered one of the greatest German players ever. He played in four World Cups between 2002 and 2014. In total, he scored 16 goals in 24 matches, making him the top scorer in World Cup history. He reached the final of the tournament in 2002 but finally won it in 2014.
