Messi, Mbappe chase historic World Cup record only held by legendary German player

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe will head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup with more than just title ambitions as both forwards close in on one of the most prestigious individual records in international football.

The Argentine captain and the France superstar are among the leading contenders to surpass Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals during the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Klose, who represented Germany between 2001 and 2014, remains the highest scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals across four editions of the competition.

Messi eyes final opportunity

Messi enters the tournament with 13 World Cup goals, leaving him just three behind Klose’s long-standing mark.

The 38-year-old has previously suggested that the 2026 edition is likely to be his final World Cup, making the competition a potentially historic farewell on the global stage.