Argentina captain scores historic 20th World Cup goal to surpass every player in tournament history.
Lionel Messi has added another remarkable achievement to his glittering career, becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in the FIFA World Cup after finding the net in Argentina national football team’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Cape Verde national football team on Friday.
Messi’s strike took his World Cup tally to 20 goals, moving him clear at the top of the tournament’s all-time scoring chart and surpassing every player to have featured in football’s biggest international competition.
The Argentine captain now leads the standings ahead of Kylian Mbappé, who has scored 18 World Cup goals for the France national football team.
Former Miroslav Klose, who held the World Cup scoring record for many years, now sits third with 16 goals, followed by Brazilian great Ronaldo Nazário on 15.
Germany legend Gerd Müller occupies fifth place with 14 goals, while Just Fontaine and Harry Kane share sixth place on 13 goals each.
Brazil icon Pelé follows with 12 goals, while Cristiano Ronaldo is tied on 11 goals alongside Jürgen Klinsmann and Sándor Kocsis.
Players with 10 World Cup goals include Gabriel Batistuta, Helmut Rahn, Gary Lineker, Teófilo Cubillas, Thomas Müller and Grzegorz Lato.
The latest milestone further strengthens Messi’s legacy as one of football’s greatest-ever players. Already celebrated for leading Argentina to World Cup glory and collecting numerous individual honours throughout his career, the 20-goal landmark adds yet another historic accomplishment to his remarkable international record.