The number 10 of the Argentine national team reached the maximum number of balls in the net in the history of FIFA global tournaments. During the clash against Austria, Lionel Messi scored his seventeenth goal in competitions of this caliber, now sharing the top of the absolute podium with Brazilian striker Marta. His consecration on the European field places the South American player on an exclusive shelf in the sport, surpassing decades of statistics accumulated by other legends.
The successful finish also served to break a hegemony that had lasted more than a decade among men. The Argentine left behind center forward Miroslav Klose, who had set the limit of sixteen goals during the 2014 edition, precisely in the year in which Germany lifted the cup in Brazil. From now on, the idol from the neighboring country reigns alone in the statistics of the men’s category, expanding his influence in the record books of Breton sport.
Current mathematics unifies gender categories under the same numerical ceiling. Brazil’s number 10 built his offensive empire over six appearances in the tournament, scoring seventeen goals seven seasons ago, when the national squad competed in the knockout phase. The statistical tie between the two athletes highlights a rare level of physical and technical durability, requiring high-level performances for almost twenty years of their professional career.
The protagonism of the player from Alagoas guarantees the South American country a strong presence at the top of the historical table. She leads a trio of notable Brazilians in the general ranking, easily surpassing the fifteen goals scored by Ronaldo Fenômeno and the twelve balls in the net recorded by Pelé, the King of Football, during their respective careers with the green and yellow shirts.
One detail that draws attention to the list of goalscorers is the scarcity of professionals still wearing football boots professionally. As the two absolute leaders head towards the final stretch of their journeys on the pitch, striker Kylian Mbappé emerges as the main real threat to this dynasty. At 27 years old, the European athlete has the time and physical explosiveness to participate in at least two more editions of the championship.
The French player’s performance in the ongoing tournament reinforces this mathematical projection. After finding the net twice in the opening rounds, he reached fourteen goals in his international career. The distance to the top has shrunk drastically, requiring just three more successful finishes for the Frenchman to share the outright crown with the current record holders.
Check out the updated ranking with the top scorers in the tournament’s history
The unified statistical survey brings together the most lethal names that have ever stepped onto the pitch of the competition organized by football’s highest governing body. The data includes nationality, volume of matches played, goal difference and the years in which each professional took to the field:
- Marta (Brazil): 17 goals scored in 23 matches played (years 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023).
- Lionel Messi (Argentina): 17 goals scored in 27 matches played (years 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026).
- Miroslav Klose (Germany): 16 goals scored in 24 matches played (years 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014).
- Ronaldo (Brazil): 15 goals scored in 19 matches played (years 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006).
- Gerd Müller (West Germany): 14 goals scored in 13 matches played (1970 and 1974).
- Kylian Mbappé (France): 14 goals scored in 15 matches played (years 2018, 2022 and 2026).
- Birgit Prinz (Germany): 14 goals scored in 24 matches played (1995, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011).
- Abby Wambach (United States): 14 goals scored in 25 matches played (years 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015).
- Just Fontaine (France): 13 goals scored in 6 matches played (year 1958).
- Michelle Akers (United States): 12 goals scored in 13 matches played (years 1991, 1995 and 1999).
- Pelé (Brazil): 12 goals scored in 14 matches played (1958, 1962, 1966 and 1970).