Also known as: former Germany forward Miroslav Klose
Miroslav Klose — held the all-time World Cup goalscoring record with 16 goals, surpassed by Messi in 2026.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Standard
… Mbappe is now level on the all-time list of World Cup goals with Germany's Miroslav Klose, who started the tournament as the all-time leading scorer. …
Mbappe scores twice as France beat Iraq at World Cup after two-hour storm delayThe Standard
… Messi swept home a low finish in the 38th minute of the Group J game in Arlington, Texas to take his career World Cup goals tally to 17, one clear of the previous record of 16 he shared with Miroslav Klose. …
Messi sets World Cup scoring record as Argentina down AustriaCitizen Digital
… Messi is now level with World Cup record scorer Miroslav Klose on 16 goals. His first at a finals was scored on this date 20 years ago, when he was 18. …
Goal machines Messi, Haaland and Mbappe give their teams perfect startsCitizen Digital
… In the 76th minute, he swept in a low finish from the edge of the area to go level with former Germany forward Miroslav Klose on 16 goals before departing to a standing ovation from an adoring crowd. …
England enter World Cup fray as Ronaldo makes historyCitizen Digital
… Messi's hat-trick at Kansas City Stadium saw him equal the all-time men's World Cup scoring record of 16 goals, drawing level with Germany's Miroslav Klose. …
Messi's inexplicable feats no longer a surprise, says coach ScaloniCitizen Digital
… up goalscoring record in Argentina romp By AFP June 17, 2026 06:52 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Audio By Vocalize Lionel Messi scored a dazzling hat-trick for Argentina on Tuesday to equal Miroslav Klose …
Messi equals World Cup goalscoring record in Argentina rompThe Standard
… Mbappe's 14 World Cup goals take him level with Gerd Mueller as the third-highest scorer in World Cup history and the 27-year-old is now within touching distance of beating Miroslav Klose's all-time record of 16.One of the players Mbappe moved clear of in the scorers' list, Lione …
France and two-goal Mbappe roar into World CupThe Standard
… On a magical night at Kansas City's 69,045-capacity Arrowhead Stadium, Messi delivered an electrifying individual display to join Miroslav Klose at the top of the World Cup scorers charts with 16 goals. …
Magical Messi equals World Cup goals record as Argentina winCitizen Digital
… Real Madrid star Mbappe took his career World Cup goals tally to 14 –- two behind all-time leader Miroslav Klose –- and Bradley Barcola was also on target as Les Bleus secured all three points for Didier Deschamps' side. …
Mbappe double fires France to opening win over SenegalCitizen Digital
… He needs just four more to match Miroslav Klose's record of 16 World Cup goals. Haaland Haaland finally gets his first taste of a major international tournament after ending Norway's 28-year wait to reach the World Cup. …
Five stars ready to light up the World CupKylian Mbappe marked his 100th cap with two goals as France defeated Iraq 3-0 in a World Cup match delayed two hours by a severe storm in Philadelphia. Ousmane Dembele scored the other goal for France, with Mbappe moving to 16 career World Cup goals.
23 June 2026 · The Standard →
Kylian Mbappe marked his 100th cap with two goals as France defeated Iraq 3-0 in a World Cup match delayed two hours by a severe storm in Philadelphia. Ousmane Dembele scored the other goal for France, with Mbappe moving to 16 career World Cup goals.
23 June 2026 · The Standard →
Lionel Messi became the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer with 18 goals as Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 in Group J, surpassing the previous record of 16 goals shared with Miroslav Klose. The victory secures Argentina's place in the knockout rounds of the tournament.
22 June 2026 · The Standard →
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick for Argentina against Algeria, Erling Haaland scored twice for Norway against Iraq, and Kylian Mbappe scored twice for France against Senegal in Tuesday's World Cup Group J matches, giving their teams winning starts despite recent dips in form.
17 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday, seeking to end a 60-year wait for a trophy. Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, is set to play in a record-equalling sixth World Cup tournament, while Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick for Argentina to equal the all-time World Cup goalscoring record.
17 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi scored all three goals in Argentina's 3-0 World Cup win over Algeria, equaling the all-time men's World Cup scoring record of 16 goals. The 38-year-old also earned his 200th cap and became the first man to compete in six World Cups and the oldest to score a hat-trick in tournament history.
17 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick for Argentina in a 3-0 victory over Algeria, equaling Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup goalscoring record of 16 goals. The 38-year-old also became the first player to feature in six World Cup tournaments.
17 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kylian Mbappe scored twice in France's 3-1 World Cup win against Senegal at MetLife Stadium, with Bradley Barcola also scoring. Mbappe's 14 World Cup goals move him level with Gerd Mueller as the third-highest scorer in World Cup history.
17 June 2026 · The Standard →
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to become the tournament's joint all-time top scorer with 16 goals, matching Miroslav Klose, as Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 in their World Cup opener. The 38-year-old also became the first player to appear in six World Cups.
17 June 2026 · The Standard →
Kylian Mbappe scored twice to lead France to a 3-1 victory over Senegal in their opening World Cup Group I match, with Bradley Barcola also on target. Mbappe became France's all-time top scorer with 58 goals.
17 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Ahead of the first-ever 48-team World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, Citizen Digital examines five major players dealing with form and fitness concerns, including Kylian Mbappe, who arrives at the tournament after a difficult period at Real Madrid.
22 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →