Overview
- Miroslav Klose told Süddeutsche Zeitung he expects his all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals to be broken in this tournament and said “Messi is welcome to do it.”
- Klose set the 16-goal mark across four World Cups from 2002 to 2014 and still holds the record heading into the 2026 competition.
- Lionel Messi has 13 World Cup goals and Kylian Mbappé has 12, placing both within reach of Klose’s total if Argentina or France advance deep into the tournament.
- The 2026 World Cup has kicked off with Mexico beating South Africa, and Argentina begin their title defence on June 16, offering Messi immediate chances to close the gap.
- Klose framed the likely change as a product of the tournament’s expanded format and offered personal admiration for Messi while noting a friendship with Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, underscoring a cordial passing of the record rather than a contested rivalry.