When it comes to the FIFA World Cup, goals are what make the tournament thrilling and memorable. Every World Cup has seen some of the best footballers in the world competing against each other to score more and more goals.
But, do you know who has scored the most goals in World Cup history? Let’s take a look.
Who is the All-Time Leading Goal Scorer?
The all-time leading goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history is Miroslav Klose. He is a retired German footballer who played as a striker for Germany in four different World Cups (2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014). Klose scored an astounding 16 goals throughout his World Cup career, making him the record holder.
Klose’s Journey
Klose’s journey began at the 2002 World Cup held in South Korea/Japan where he managed to score five goals which helped Germany reach the final. Four years later, he played in Germany’s home soil at the 2006 tournament and scored another five goals which helped his team finish third.
At the 2010 tournament held in South Africa, Klose scored four goals which helped Germany finish third again. Finally, at his last appearance at a World Cup held in Brazil in 2014, Klose came off the bench to score his sixteenth goal against Brazil in their famous 7-1 victory over them.
The Closest Contenders
Before Klose took over as the leading goal scorer, Brazilian forward Ronaldo was holding that record with 15 goals. Ronaldo played for Brazil from 1994-2011 and appeared in four different World Cups (1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010). He won two titles with Brazil (1994 and 2002) and also won Golden Boot awards twice.
Another player who comes close to Klose’s record is Gerd Muller. He played for Germany from 1970-1974 and scored 14 goals in just two World Cups.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 goals in World Cup history is remarkable and it might not be easy for any other player to break it anytime soon. His ability to score goals in crucial moments has made him one of the greatest footballers to have ever played the game.