The countdown to the 2026 World Cup has begun! Each day leading up to the event’s return to North America, Yahoo Sports will highlight an insight or moment that shows just how big the world’s biggest sporting event has become—even beyond the expanded venues for this year’s global event.
This summer marks the 23rd edition of the World Cup. Since the first World Cup in 1930, 964 games have been played and a total of 2,720 goals have been scored. Nearly a century filled with unforgettable moments, breakdowns and magic.
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But when it comes to the biggest stage, one question lingers: Who owns it?
No one scored more goals at the World Cup than Miroslav Klose, who made history with his attacking consistency. The German striker leads all players with 16 goals in 24 World Cup games. Klose scored five goals at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, another four in 2010 and scored twice in 2014 as Germany won their fourth World Cup title. With 137 appearances for his country, Klose had a stellar resume, and those 16 goals made him a legend.
Ronaldo has always been right behind Klose – no, not really That Ronaldo.
Ronaldo Nazario made 98 appearances for Brazil and was one of the teams to qualify for three consecutive World Cup finals. Although he did not feature in the 1994 tournament, he scored four goals in 1998 and eight in 2002, when his country won the title for the fifth time. In the last World Cup in 2006, Ronaldo scored three goals to help Brazil lose to France in the quarter-finals.
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Top scorer in World Cup history
16: Miroslav Klose, Germany (24 games, 4 World Cups
15: Ronaldo Nazario, Brazil (19 games, 4 World Cups)
14: Gerd Muller, West Germany (13 games, 2 World Cups)
13: Just Fontaine, France (6 games, 1 World Cup)
13: Lionel Messi, Argentina (26 games, 5 World Cups)
12: Kylian Mbappe, France (14 games, 2 World Cups)
12: Pele, Brazil (14 games, 4 World Cups)
