Five months before the start of the 2026 World Cup, which will be played in the United States, Canada and Mexico, several historical records of the tournament are beginning to be in the spotlight. One of the most emblematic is the top scorer in the history of the World Cups, a record that currently belongs to Miroslav Klose. The former German striker, world champion in Brazil 2014, has 16 goals and sees how his record could fall in the next World Cup.
The figures of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe appear as the main contenders to dethrone the German, in a context where modern soccer, and especially penalty kicks, have increased offensive opportunities for elite attackers.
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Klose assumes his record is in danger
Klose himself, now retired and 47 years old, admitted that his record could be broken very soon. In an interview with Bild, the former striker was blunt on the subject.
“I’m sure my record as a goalscorer in the World Cups will be broken soon. Either Lionel Messi will do it in this World Cup, or at the latest, Kylian Mbappe in the next one,” said the Polish-born, German naturalized striker.
Messi has 13 World Cup goals, while Mbappe has 12, figures that leave them a few goals short of matching or surpassing Klose. Behind the German are Ronaldo Nazario, with 15, and the legendary Gerd Muller, with 14
The difference between penalties and current football
Klose also pointed out a key difference between his time and the present day. During his career with the German national team, he was not the regular penalty taker, something that is the case with Messi and Mbappe.“That circumstance may have increased my number of goals,” explained the former striker, stressing how the context of the modern game favours today’s great goalscorers.
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Beyond the goalscoring record, Klose recalled that he holds other notable statistics in World Cup history. “I think I still have the most World Cup wins and I’m the only player to have played in four semi-finals,” he said.
Klose is currently the coach of Nuremberg, a team that plays in the second division of German soccer
Germany and their attacking options heading into 2026
Looking ahead to the next World Cup, Klose identified Nick Woltemade, currently playing for Newcastle, as one of Germany’s main attacking options. “He has a very complete profile,” said the former striker.
He also lamented the recent injury to Niclas Fllkrug, now on loan at Milan, and warned that the competition for the striker’s position will be key to the future of the German national team, which will be in Group E alongside Curacao, Ecuador and Ivory Coast.
Messi and Mbappe ready for the clash
Both Messi and Mbappe, barring unforeseen circumstances, will be present at the 2026 World Cup. The Argentine, at 37 years of age, would be facing his last major competition with the world champion team in Qatar 2022. Mbappe, already a champion in Russia 2018, will once again lead France under the direction of Didier Deschamps.
Klose’s record, which has stood for more than a decade, is more threatened than ever.
