2022 FIFA World Cup will be the 22nd edition of this global event which was first played back in 1930. So far only 13 players have scored 10 or more goals in the World Cups and we put together all goal scoring statistics of FIFA World Cup history.
Content Summary
All-Time Top Goal Scorers In FIFA World Cups:
Miroslav Klose leads the all-time goal scoring chart with his 16 goals in four world cups. He played 24 matches for Germany in 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014. Brazil’s Ronaldo is just 1 goal behind him with 15 goals in 19 World Cup matches. He also played in four different world cups. Germany’s Gerd Muller has the 14 goals in 13 matches and he only played two World Cups. So far only 13 players have scored 10 or more goals and we list them one by one on this page.
Below is the list of all-time top goal scorers in FIFA World Cup history.
#1. Miroslav Klose
Goals: 16 Matches: 24 World Cup: 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
Miroslav Klose is the outright top goal scorer in the history of FIFA World Cup having scored 16 goals in 24 matches over 4 different world cups.
Golden Boot In 2014 World Cup: His 7 goals in 5 matches during 2006 World Cup earned him golden boot. While he was also part of 2014 German squad which went on to win the World Cup.
See Also: Germany Top Goal Scorers
#2. Ronaldo
Goals: 15 Matches: 19 World Cup: 1994,1998, 2002, 2006
Ronaldo played three World Cup finals with Brazil losing 1 and winning the 1994 and 2002 World Cups. Although he did not play big part of Brazil’s 1994 World cup triumph, he was star player for Brazil in the next three world cups.
Golden Boot In 2002 World Cup: His best performance came during the 2002 World Cup where he not only scored twice in the final but also won the golden boot thanks to his 8 goals in 7 matches.
See Also: Brazil Top Goal Scorers
#3. Gerd Müller
Goals: 14 Matches: 13 World cup: 1970, 1974
Gerd Muller was the iconic German striker who absolute dominated goal scoring charts during his playing days both with his Bayern Munich team and national side Germany. 10 goals in 6 matches in 1970 world cup and another 4 goals in 7 matches during 1974 world cup where Germany defeated Netherlands to win their second world cup.
Golden Boot In 1970 World Cup: He won the golden boot in 1970 with his 10 goals in just 6 matches.
#4. Just Fontaine
Goals: 13 Matches: 6 World Cup: 1958
Just Fontaine still hold the record of most goals in single edition of the FIFA World Cup with his historic thirteen goals in just six matches in 1958. Although his side did not win the world cup his name will stay in history books for long time to come.
Golden Boot in 1958 World Cup: 13 goals in just 6 matches during 1958 world cup for France.
See Also: France Top Goal Scorers
#5. Pelé
Goals: 12 Matches: 14 World cup: 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970
Pele was declared as the “player of the century” by FIFA and other organizations and rightly so considering he is only player to have won three FIFA World Cups. His haul of 12 goals in 14 matches during four different world cups put him in the top 5 top goal scorers list.
Incredibly he never won World Cup golden boot but scored in two different World cup finals.
#6. Sándor Kocsis
Goals: 11 Matches: 5 World cup: 1954
Hungarian striker who scored 11 goals for Hungary in 1954 World cup. Although they failed to win the tournament, his performances earned him several awards.
Golden Boot In 1954 World Cup: He scored 11 goals in just 5 matches during the tournament and ended up winning golden boot and golden ball awards.
#7. Jürgen Klinsmann
Goals: 11 Matches: 17 World cup: 1990,1994, 1998
Klinsmann was part of Germany squad which won the 1990 World Cup. He also played in 1994 and 1998 world cups scoring 11 goals in 17 matches. He never won the golden boot award but his haul of 11 goals in world cup earn him pace in all-time list of top goals scorers in world cups.
#8. Helmut Rahn
Goals: 10 Matches: 10 World cup: 1954, 1958
Helmut Rahn was part of West Germany squad for two world cups in 1954 and 1958. He scored 10 goals in 10 matches during these two tournaments, did not win golden boot but guided West Germany to world cup glory in 1954 scoring twice in the final against Hungary.
#9. Gabriel Batistuta
Goals: 10 Matches: 12 World cup: 1994, 1998, 2002
Batistuta played three world cups with Argentina and scored 10 goals in total of 12 matches over the course of three world cups. Batistuta’s 10 goal haul is pretty special considering Argentina were not the same dominant side of the past.
See Also: Argentina Top Goal Scorers
#10. Gary Lineker
Goals: 10 Matches: 12 World cup: 1986, 1990
Gary Lineker was one of the best strikers England produced and although his England sides of 1986 and 1990 never won the world cup, individually he managed to get golden boot in 1986 with 6 goals in 5 matches. He scored another 4 goals in 7 matches in 1990 making him all time top goal scorer for England in World cups.
See Also: England Top Goal Scorers
Below is the complete list of all-time top goal scorers in FIFA World Cup history.
| Player | Goals | Matches | World Cups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miroslav Klose | 16 | 24 | 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 |
| Ronaldo | 15 | 19 | 1994,1998, 2002, 2006 |
| Gerd Müller | 14 | 13 | 1970, 1974 |
| Just Fontaine | 13 | 6 | 1958 |
| Pelé | 12 | 14 | 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970 |
| Sándor Kocsis | 11 | 5 | 1954 |
| Jürgen Klinsmann | 11 | 17 | 1990,1994, 1998 |
| Helmut Rahn | 10 | 10 | 1954, 1958 |
| Gabriel Batistuta | 10 | 12 | 1994, 1998, 2002 |
| Gary Lineker | 10 | 12 | 1986, 1990 |
| Teófilo Cubillas | 10 | 13 | 1970, 1978, (1982) |
| Thomas Müller | 10 | 16 | 2010, 2014, (2018) |
| Grzegorz Lato | 10 | 20 | 1974, 1978, 1982 |
| Ademir | 9 | 6 | 1950 |
| Roberto Baggio | 9 | 16 | 1992,1993 |
| David Villa | 9 | 12 | 2010 |
| Jairzinho | 9 | 16 | 1970 |
| Paolo Rossi | 9 | 14 | 1982 |
| Karl-Heinz Rummenigge | 9 | 19 | – |
| Uwe Seeler | 9 | 21 | 1970 |