Most goals in the FIFA World Cup: Miroslav Klose tops the charts

Many top strikers have showcased their goal-scoring prowess in the FIFA World Cup since its inception in 1930. Lucien Laurent of France holds the record for the first goal scored in the tournament’s history. 

Ever since, more than 2,000 goals have been scored in the 21 editions of the FIFA World Cup, featuring more than 1,200 goal-scorers, including greats like Pele, Ronaldo Nazario, Gerd Muller, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi among others.

Germany’s Miroslav Klose has scored the most goals in the FIFA World Cup. He played in four editions, finding the back of the net on 16 occasions. 

Klose made his World Cup debut in 2002. The striker left his mark on the game with a hat-trick, making him one of 13 players to reach the landmark on his FIFA World Cup debut.

After scoring five goals in his home World Cup, Klose won the Golden Boot in the 2006 edition. He further added four goals to his tally in 2010. The striker was a part of the 2014 World Cup-winning German team. In fact, Klose smashed the record for most goals scored by a player in the FIFA World Cup semi-final that year, scoring his 16th goal in the 7-1 win over Brazil.

Brazil’s Ronaldo Nazario is behind Klose for the number of goals scored at the FIFA World Cup. One of the best strikers, the Selecao legend won the FIFA World Cup in 2002 and scored 15 goals in 19 matches. 

After scoring four times in his debut World Cup in 1998, Ronaldo played a defining role in helping Brazil lift the title in 2002. The striker scored eight goals in seven games to win the Golden Boot that year. Ronaldo broke the previous record for most goals scored by a player in the competition in 2006 after netting three goals.

Germany’s Gerd Muller scored 14 goals in just two editions. The German legend was only the second player to score back-to-back hat-tricks in the FIFA World Cup when he achieved the feat in the 1970 edition. Muller held the record for most goals scored in the FIFA World Cup for 32 years since 1974.

France’s Just Fontaine, meanwhile, holds the record for most goals in a single edition of the FIFA World Cup with 13 goals in just six matches. He was also the first player to score back-to-back hat-tricks at the event.

Brazilian legend Pele remains the youngest player to play and score in a FIFA World Cup final. He netted 12 goals in 14 matches.

Among active players, Germany’s Thomas Muller is the top goal-scorer in the FIFA World Cup, scoring 10 goals. Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez are joint-second with seven goals, while Lionel Messi and Harry Kane are level at six goals.

Most goals in FIFA World Cup

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