FFive months before the start of the 2026 World Cup to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, some historical records of the tournament are starting to come into the spotlight. The most iconic one is the top scorer in World Cup history, a record that currently belongs to Miroslav Klose. The former German striker, who won the world championship in Brazil in 2014, has scored 16 goals, and it will be interesting to see how that record goes down at the next World Cup.
With modern football, especially penalty kicks, providing more attacking opportunities for elite attackers, the figures of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe have emerged as the main candidates to dethrone the German.
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Klose believes his record is in jeopardy
Klose himself, now retired and 47 years old, admitted that his record could soon be broken. In an interview with Bild, the former striker spoke candidly about the matter.
“I’m sure that my record as a World Cup scorer will be broken very soon. Either Lionel Messi will achieve it in this World Cup or at the latest Kylian Mbappe will achieve it in the next World Cup,” said the Polish-born German naturalized striker.
Messi has scored 13 goals at the World Cup, while Mbappe has 12, leaving him just a few goals short of matching or surpassing Klose. Behind the German is Ronaldo Nazario with 15 and the legendary Gerd Muller with 14.
Difference between penalties and modern soccer
Klose also pointed out important differences between his time and now. During his career with the German national team, he was not a regular penalty taker like Messi or Mbappe. “Maybe that situation increased my goal numbers,” the former striker explained, highlighting how the modern game conditions favor today’s great goalscorers.
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It was recalled that besides the scoring record, Klose holds other notable statistics in the history of the World Cup. “I think I have the most World Cup wins and I’m the only player to have played in the semi-finals four times,” he said.
Klose is currently the manager of Nuremberg, a team in the second division of German soccer.
Germany and its offensive options for 2026
Looking ahead to the next World Cup, manager Klose has named Nick Waltemade, 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 Niklas Flukrug, who is currently on loan at Milan, and warned that competition for the striker 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 clash
Barring unforeseen circumstances, Messi and Mbappé are expected to play in the 2026 World Cup. The 37-year-old Argentine will play his final major tournament against the Qatar 2022 world champion team. Mbappé, who has already won the 2018 World Cup in Russia, will once again lead France under coach Didier Deschamps.
Klose’s record, which has stood for more than a decade, is now more threatened than ever.
