Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé are anticipated to be among the many largest stars competing on the 2026 World Cup with Argentina and France, respectively. Nevertheless, Germany legend Miroslav Klose has entered the dialog, weighing in on the 2 superstars’ possibilities of breaking the historic World Cup goal-scoring file he at present holds.
With two objectives on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Klose turned the event’s all-time main scorer, extending his file to 16 objectives throughout 4 editions with Die Mannschaft. Now, each Messi and Mbappé are closing in on that mark, and the file may very well be not solely matched however surpassed on the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
In an interview with Sport Bild, Klose was requested about the potential for his file being damaged, and the German icon supplied an sincere evaluation: “I’m certain my goal-scoring file on the World Cup might be damaged quickly. Both Lionel Messi will obtain it at this World Cup, or on the newest Kylian Mbappé will do it on the subsequent one.”
The previous Bayern Munich and Lazio striker, who lifted the 2014 World Cup trophy after Germany’s 1-0 win over Argentina, additionally shared his admiration for the Inter Miami star. “I’m an enormous Messi fan. If it occurs, I’d hope it’s him, if he’s nonetheless taking part in. However Mbappé can be an unbelievable expertise. I want them each good well being and the power to carry out,” he added.
Miroslav Klose and Erik Durm of Germany have fun with the World Cup trophy.
Klose additionally addressed how the enlargement of the World Cup will increase the chance of his file falling. “I knew the file would fall in some unspecified time in the future if you happen to made the event larger. In fact, that offers smaller groups like Curaçao an opportunity. It’s additionally good that groups like that get the chance to play in a World Cup,” he stated. Nonetheless, Klose famous what stays uniquely his: “However I nonetheless have probably the most wins at a World Cup, and I’m the one one to have performed in 4 semifinals. These are a number of the issues I nonetheless have.”
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Messi, Mbappé, and a golden alternative
As Klose identified, each Messi and Mbappé have a golden alternative to say one of the iconic data not solely in World Cup historical past, however within the sport itself. With a robust run, both participant might even strategy the mark throughout the group stage.
Messi at present sits fourth on the all-time World Cup scoring record with 13 objectives, tied with French legend Simply Fontaine and three shy of Klose’s file. Argentina have been drawn into Group J, the place they may face Algeria, Austria, and World Cup debutants Jordan. The Albiceleste are favored to advance, giving Messi a practical likelihood to shut the hole.
However, Mbappé, who has performed in simply two World Cups (2018 and 2022) and remains to be solely 27, already has 12 objectives, tied with Pelé for sixth all-time. France had been drawn into Group I alongside AFCON finalists Senegal, Erling Haaland’s Norway, and the winner of an intercontinental playoff between Bolivia, Suriname, and Iraq, a harder path on paper than Argentina’s.
Historic World Cup goalscoring desk
Solely 15 gamers have scored no less than 10 objectives on the World Cup heading into the 2026 version. The record is as follows:
Miroslav Klose – Germany: 16 objectives in 24 video games video games.Ronaldo – Brazil: 15 objectives in 19 video games.Gerd Müller – Germany: 14 objectives in 13 video games.Simply Fontaine – France: 13 objectives in 6 video games.Lionel Messi – Argentina 13 objectives in 26 video games.Pelé – Brazil: 12 objectives in 14 video games.Kylian Mbappé – France: 12 objectives in 14 video games.Sándor Kocsis – Hungary: 11 objectives in 5 video games.Jürgen Klinsmann – Germany: 11 objectives in 17 video games.Helmut Rahn – Germany: 10 objectives in 10 video games.Gary Lineker – England: 10 objectives in 12 video games.Gabriel Batistuta – Argentina: 10 objectives in 12 video games.Teófilo Cubillas – Peru 10 objectives in 13 video games.Thomas Müller – Germany: 10 objectives in 19 video games.Grzegorz Lato – Poland: 10 objectives in 20 video games.
