<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Lionel Messi</a> and Kylian Mbappé are expected to be among the biggest stars competing at the 2026 World Cup with Argentina and France, respectively. However, Germany legend <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/miroslav-klose/">Miroslav Klose</a> has entered the conversation, weighing in on the two superstars’ chances of breaking the historic World Cup goal-scoring record he currently holds.



With two goals at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Klose became the tournament’s all-time leading scorer, extending his record to 16 goals across four editions with Die Mannschaft. Now, both Messi and Mbappé are closing in on that mark, and the record could be not only matched but surpassed at the 2026 <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/world-cup/">World Cup</a> in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.



In an interview with Sport Bild, Klose was asked about the possibility of his record being broken, and the German icon offered an honest assessment: “I’m sure my goal-scoring record at the World Cup will be broken soon. Either Lionel Messi will achieve it at this World Cup, or at the latest Kylian <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/kylian-mbappe/">Mbappé</a> will do it at the next one.”



The former Bayern Munich and Lazio striker, who lifted the 2014 World Cup trophy after <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/germany/">Germany</a>’s 1-0 win over Argentina, also shared his admiration for the Inter Miami star. “I’m a huge Messi fan. If it happens, I’d hope it’s him, if he’s still playing. But Mbappé is also an incredible talent. I wish them both good health and the ability to perform,” he added.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/01/14231644/miroslav-klose-germany-world-cup-1920x1080.webp" alt="Miroslav Klose and Erik Durm of Germany celebrate with the World Cup trophy." class="wp-image-616021"></figure></div><figcaption>Miroslav Klose and Erik Durm of Germany celebrate with the World Cup trophy.</figcaption></figure>



Klose also addressed how the expansion of the World Cup increases the likelihood of his record falling. “I knew the record would fall at some point if you made the tournament bigger. Of course, that gives smaller teams like Curaçao a chance. It’s also good that teams like that get the opportunity to play in a World Cup,” he said. Still, Klose noted what remains uniquely his: “But I still have the most wins at a World Cup, and I’m the only one to have played in four semifinals. Those are some of the things I still have.”


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/report-germany-take-important-step-in-the-us-ahead-of-2026-fifa-world-cup/" image="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/10/08190841/Florian-Wirtz-200x200.webp" excerpt="The Germany national team have reportedly made an important decision regarding their stay in the United States ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
" title="Report: Germany take important step in the US ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup" publication_id="WST#/news/report-germany-take-important-step-in-the-us-ahead-of-2026-fifa-world-cup/"></div>


<h2>Messi, Mbappé, and a golden opportunity</h2>



As Klose pointed out, both Messi and Mbappé have a golden opportunity to claim one of the most iconic records not only in World Cup history, but in the sport itself. With a strong run, either player could even approach the mark during the group stage.



Messi currently sits fourth on the all-time World Cup scoring list with 13 goals, tied with French legend Just Fontaine and three shy of Klose’s record. Argentina have been drawn into Group J, where they will face Algeria, Austria, and World Cup debutants Jordan. The Albiceleste are favored to advance, giving Messi a realistic chance to close the gap.



On the other hand, Mbappé, who has played in just two World Cups (2018 and 2022) and is still only 27, already has 12 goals, tied with Pelé for sixth all-time. France were drawn into Group I alongside AFCON finalists Senegal, Erling Haaland’s Norway, and the winner of an intercontinental playoff between Bolivia, Suriname, and Iraq, a tougher path on paper than Argentina’s.



<h2>Historic World Cup goalscoring table</h2>



Only 15 players have scored at least 10 goals at the World Cup heading into the 2026 edition. The list is as follows:



<ul><li>Miroslav Klose – Germany: 16 goals in 24 games games.</li><li>Ronaldo – Brazil: 15 goals in 19 games.</li><li>Gerd Müller – Germany: 14 goals in 13 games.</li><li>Just Fontaine – France: 13 goals in 6 games.</li><li>Lionel Messi – Argentina 13 goals in 26 games.</li><li>Pelé – Brazil: 12 goals in 14 games.</li><li>Kylian Mbappé – France: 12 goals in 14 games.</li><li>Sándor Kocsis – Hungary: 11 goals in 5 games.</li><li>Jürgen Klinsmann – Germany: 11 goals in 17 games.</li><li>Helmut Rahn – Germany: 10 goals in 10 games.</li><li>Gary Lineker – England: 10 goals in 12 games.</li><li>Gabriel Batistuta – Argentina: 10 goals in 12 games.</li><li>Teófilo Cubillas – Peru 10 goals in 13 games.</li><li>Thomas Müller – Germany: 10 goals in 19 games.</li><li>Grzegorz Lato – Poland: 10 goals in 20 games.</li></ul>

Germany legend Klose weighs in on Messi and Mbappé’s chances to break historic World Cup goal record in 2026

Germany legend Klose weighs in on Messi and Mbappé’s chances to break historic World Cup goal record in 2026 - World Soccer Talk

main

<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/higuain.jpg"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-120156" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/2014/10/higuain-600x400-600x400.webp" alt="higuain" width="600" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></figure></div></a>
AS Roma were the big losers of the round, slipping a further three points behind Juventus after drawing 0-0 against Sampdoria. On the other hand, their direct title rivals won 2-0 at home, with Arturo Vidal and Fernando Llorente on target for the league leaders.
Behind these two giants there’s plenty of clubs battling it out for Champions League places in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/category/leagues-serie-a/">Serie A.</a>
Seven teams are just separated by four points, however, the two teams who share third place are Udinese and Sampdoria. Breathing down their necks are AC Milan and Napoli who have both begun to turn their fortunes around recently.
Three strikers who are all class acts in their own right were the round’s best players. Before the weekend’s action kicked off there was no sign of Llorente, Miroslav Klose or Gonzalo Higuain at the top of the scoring charts.
However, it was a time that all three signalled a return to form. Llorente and Klose both scored a goal each, whilst the former Real Madrid striker and Argentina international Higuain scored a sublime hat-trick.
Here’s a look at the three star performers from this round.
1. FERNANDO LLORENTE
Injuries have curtailed the Spaniard’s chance of hitting his physical peak. Under Antonio Conte last season he missed out on a string of matches at the start of last campaign. With just a solitary goal in his first 11 appearances, life got off to a difficult start for Llorente at his new home.
However, he found his form and scored a total of 16 goals, with seven of them coming via his trademark aerial ability. Again, he pounced on a high ball opportunity to help Juventus secure a comfortable 3-0 victory over Cagliari.
The club’s fans will be hoping this is the beginning of a goalscoring spree for the imposing centre-forward.
2. MIROSLAV KLOSE
This is a curious story or perhaps the German veteran is starting to show his age. Following success with his nation at the World Cup in Brazil, and in the process becoming the tournament’s most prolific scorer of all-time, he could be suffering from a post World Cup hangover.
When Filip Djordjevic from Nantes he wasn’t seen as a replacement and Klose was still regarded as the preferred striker in Lazio’s starting XI.
However, the team’s struggling start has seen Stefano Pioli rotate both of his primary strikers more than he would have expected, and Djordjevic hit the ground running with six goals in the opening seven matches. Pioli had never tried the two strikers together, however, he did it against Torino.
As soon as Klose came on at the end of the first half it took just 15 minutes for the German to benefit from the presence of Djordjevic and scored the winning goal that kept Lazio within a point of Champions League places.
3. GONZALO HIGUAIN
At the start of the campaign many believed that this man had the potential to be the competition’s top scorer.
Although he scored a first official goal against in the side’s Champions League qualifier, it was all in vain as they had to make do with a spot in the Europa League.
The irritability of missing out on Europe’s most lucrative competition appeared to spread throughout the squad in the early stages of the season, and particularly their Argentinean striker.
His sluggish attitude on the pitch also led many to believe that he could force a move out of the club in January. Thankfully for coach Rafael Benitez he was helped by Jose Callejon to score the goals.
But as they say, form is temporary and class is permanent and sooner or later the ex-Real Madrid frontman would be back amongst the goals.
Higuain’s subsequent hat-trick against Verona at the weekend couldn’t have emphasised this old adage more, and came as welcome relief to the manager and fans.
Consistency and keeping a sharp mental focus will now be key for the striker as Napoli go in search of a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/category/leagues-champions-league/">Champions League</a> spot.

Top 3 Players Of Serie A Round 8

Top 3 Players Of Serie A Round 8  - World Soccer Talk

<div><figure class="external-image"><img src="http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/02/sports_stadiums/image/allianz.jpg" alt="Why so Blue at the Allianz?"></figure></div> 
Blue days at the Allianz
Bate and Bayern had the same idea in the second halves of their respective matches. Hold on for a home draw. However unlike Bate, Bayern Munich happened to be one of the 10 richest clubs in the world. Lyon visited the Allianz tonight and scraped by with a 1-1 draw against FC Bayern thanks in part to an own goal by DiMichelis; however, it more so due to a startling lack of immediacy on the part of Jurgen Klinsmann.
Bayern leveled in the 52’ when Oddo threaded a ball to Klose at the edge of the box, which the German international took to the by line and let fly across goal. Toni made a superb run than sucked in two defenders, leaving plenty of space for the ghosting Ze Roberto to run into and head the ball in for the equalizer. Things looked on the up for under fire trainer.
Oddly, after that, Bayern seemed content to sit on the point for certain, while hoping for a gift in two more. They completely dominated possession throughout the match. They had a significant advantage in shots, corners and free kicks, but as they visibly tired, there was no cavalry for the rescue and thus no win.
What they lacked was change.
<blockquote> Ratings for FC Bayern 
Toni: 5.5 – Maybe its bad luck, but he’s just missing too many chances. 
Klose:8 – Energetic throughout and created many opportunities. 
Ribery:6.5 – Lively, but forced to the fringes by Toulalan. Visibly tired early in the second half. 
Scweinsteiger:5 – Much like Ribery was forced out of the game but even on the wings he provided little. 
Ze Roberto:9 – The suggestion that he has lost his legs is absurd. Covered more ground than anyone and scored the equalizer. 
Demichelis:8.5 – Mark Van Bommel just lost a job. Didn’t put a foot wrong as DM. Unfortunately did put his head wrong once. 
Lahm:7 – Solid coming forward and I think I saw him defend once or twice. 
Oddo:4.5 – Crossing was rubbish to the point of being comical. Ran his socks off but was done late. 
Lucio:6 – Hard to judge as Lyon weren’t attacking. But didn’t do anything wrong. 
Breno:6 – See above 
Riensing:6.5 – Little to do, but after recent events, doing his job when called upon is a good thing for the young keeper. 
Borowski: N/A – And we will get to this</blockquote>
Either/Or 
It’s really this simple. Klose works well with Podolski. Toni works well on his own with Ribery working behind him. Mixing and matching outside of those parameters becomes a formula for frustration. So either go with the 4-2-3-1 with Toni holding as I keep harping upon; or, bench Toni and play two complementary forwards. It ain’t rocket science.
Out of Ideas? 
Borowski was the only sub made by Klinsmann and it was in the 83′. Do you know what an 83′ substitution is called? Time-wasting!
There was quite simply no plan B. He played a strong lineup. I liked the very Spanish 4-4-2 he employed. It gave Bayern possession and chances. But this is a team lacking confidence. So some of those chances were squandered. So rather than seeing that his opponent was playing a very conservative counter-attacking system which clogged the middle, he left well enough alone. He passed on a chance to shake things up to help them get the boost of confidence.
Ze Roberto and Demichelis both performed excellently tonight. But one would have sufficed. Klinsmann didn’t need a double pivot when he wasn’t facing an attack. The obvious thing to do is sacrifice one for an attacker: Borowski, Sosa or Podolski. With three in attack, Toulalan can’t focus on Ribery and Makoun can’t focus on Schweinsteiger. The new variable forces change to the organization of Lyon and frees someone to get the ball down the center channel. This should have been done at the half.
Also Ribery is just returning from a long lay-off. Oddo has just joined the team. Both of these players faded midway through the second half. Rather than putting on fresh legs to run at the defense minded French, Klinsmann did nothing and their input into the game deteriorated as his chances at full points went down the drain.
Tactics isn’t change for change sake. It’s recognizing the opposition and responding. Klinsmann failed on this measure tonight.
Jermey Toulalan 
What an amazing game this guy had. He would not allow Ribery to roam. He closed down the left channel inwards and forced Ribery to the periphery. It should be something Bundesliga trainers take note of. However, Toulalan is also one of the classiest defensive mids around, so don’t expect all clubs to replicate his performance. Also he plays the simple pass, which is nice. Bayer 04 should take note. Toulalan was easily man of the match over both DiMichelis and Ze Roberto.
Lyon’s Tactics 
Here was Claude Puel’s talk with the team before the game.
“Try to get fouled about 50 yards from goal. We will use Juninho’s set piece ability to devastate them.”
Well at least that’s how it played out. Juninho’s free-kicks were the only offense Lyon attempted other than a couple of counters where they literally didn’t know what to do once they had broken behind Bayern’s defense.
Playing for an away draw is common, but this was so cynical that even Ranger’s Walter Smith called it insipid. But it worked because of a lucky bounce and the fact that Klinsmann refused to react.
Apologies 
I’m not a fan of Lucio, but he had a strong game tonight. Little to do, but more than capable when needed. He limited his runs and thus didn’t leave Breno stranded. Three or four times a year, I have to do this. But before long he will return to the center-back who wanted to be Pele and things will go sour.

The Sync: Bayern 1-1 Lyon

The Sync: Bayern 1-1 Lyon - World Soccer Talk

Latest news from Miroslav Klose. Find out about all the news related to Miroslav Klose on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Miroslav Klose"

News

Germany legend Klose weighs in on Messi and Mbappé’s chances to break historic World Cup goal record in 2026

News

Top 3 Players Of Serie A Round 8

News

The Sync: Bayern 1-1 Lyon