If there is a name historically linked to the goal in the World Cups, it is that of Lionel Messi. The Argentine star currently leads the ranking of direct participation in scoring in the World Cup thanks to a combination of goals and assists that place him above the tournament’s greatest legends.
In his five World Cup appearances, Messi accumulates 13 goals and eight assists, for a total of 21 direct contributionsthe highest figure recorded in the history of the competition.
The captain of the Argentine national team not only built this record for his scoring ability, but also for his influence on the generation of the game. His eight assists equal the historical mark as Diego Maradona, Pelé and the German Uwe Seeler, only surpassed by Didí and Fritz Walter, both with nine.
Thanks to that balance between definition and creation, Messi managed to surpass other giants of world football. Behind the Argentine there are names like Miroslav Klose, all-time top scorer in the World Cup with 16 goals; Ronaldo Nazário, with 15 goals; Gerd Müller, with 14; and Pelé, with 12 scores. All of them finished with 20 direct contributions.
Further behind are Poland’s Grzegorz Lato and Uwe Seeler with 17 participations in goals, while Diego Maradona and Thomas Müller closed their World Cup careers with 16.
However, the record of Messi is already beginning to feel the pressure of a new generation led by Kylian Mbappé.
The French striker, with only two World Cups played, now has 12 goals and three assists, for a total of 15 direct contributions, equaling historical records of figures such as Jürgen Klinsmann and Ademir.
At only 27 years old and on the verge of playing his third World Cup in 2026, Mbappé appears as the main candidate to get closer to several of the historical brands of world football.
In addition to the Frenchman, other figures will arrive in the next Mundial with the possibility of continuing to climb positions. Antoine Griezmann, Ivan Perišić and Harry Kane currently have 11 direct contributions, while Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodríguez register ten participations in goals.
The 2026 World Cup, which will be held in United States, Mexico and Canada, will have a new format with 48 teams and more games, something that could make it easier for several footballers to increase their numbers.
Even so, the brand of 21 direct contributions from Lionel Messi continues to represent, for now, the maximum expression of offensive productivity in the history of the World Cups and a standard that is difficult to match even for the new stars of international football.