Messi tied for top spot – here are the top five World Cup goal scorers

Lionel Messi has equaled the all-time World Cup scoring record, reaching 16 goals with a hat-trick in Argentina's opening match. This feat ties him with Germany's Miroslav Klose, setting the stage for a potential new record holder by the end of the current tournament.

Kylian Mbappé of France is also in close contention, having scored two goals in his team's opener to bring his World Cup tally to 14. The French star's consistent performance in previous tournaments, where he scored 12 goals before this World Cup, positions him as a strong contender to challenge Messi and Klose's records.

The article lists the top five all-time World Cup goal scorers: Lionel Messi (Argentina, 16 goals), Miroslav Klose (Germany, 16 goals), Ronaldo (Brazil, 15 goals), Gerd Müller (Germany, 14 goals), and Kylian Mbappé (France, 14 goals).

Messi's World Cup journey includes six tournaments, with his most prolific performance in 2022, where he scored seven goals as Argentina won the title. Mbappé, having already scored 12 goals in his first two World Cups, is expected by many to eventually top the list given France's consistent deep runs in the tournament.