Messi Becomes World Cups All-Time Top Scorer After Hat-Trick Against Algeria

Lionel Messi matched the all-time World Cup top scorer record after scoring a hat-trick to lead Argentina to a 3-0 win over Algeria.

On 17 June 2026, following the first match of Group J in the 2026 World Cup, Argentina crushed Algeria 3-0, with Messi scoring his first-ever World Cup hat-trick.

This also elevated Messi to share the all-time World Cup top scorer title with German legend Miroslav Klose, with the possibility to surpass him as Argentina still has many games remaining in the 2026 tournament.

All-Time World Cup Top Scorers

Rank 1

16 goals

Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 24 matches

Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 27 matches

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Rank 3

15 goals

Ronaldo (Brazil) – 19 matches

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Rank 4

14 goals

Gerd Müller (West Germany) – 13 matches

Kylian Mbappé (France) – 15 matches

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Rank 6

13 goals

Just Fontaine (France) – 6 matches

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Rank 7

12 goals

Pelé (Brazil) – 14 matches

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Rank 8

11 goals

Sándor Kocsis (Hungary) – 5 matches

Jürgen Klinsmann (West Germany) – 17 matches