Lionel Messi backed to break iconic FIFA World Cup record by the man who owns it: ‘He is welcome to do it’

Lionel Messi is set to appear in his sixth FIFA World Cup, with Argentina defending their title.

Published on: Jun 14, 2026, 06:03:14 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are on the cusp of creating history at the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026. Messi has scored 13 goals in five World Cup appearances. Meanwhile, Mbappe has scored 12 in only two tournament appearances. This is the Argentine's sixth World Cup and Mbappe's third. Both have the chance to break Miroslav Klose's record as the all-time top goalscorer in World Cups.

Lionel Messi has been tipped to break a huge FIFA World Cup record. (REUTERS)

The German legend scored 16 goals across four World Cup appearances, an all-time record. He is ahead of Brazil's Ronaldo (15 goals) and Gerd Muller (14).

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Klose expects his iconic record to be broken in this year's edition in North America. He also feels that the expanded format makes it easier for players to overtake his tally.

‘I expect my record to be broken in this tournament’

Speaking to Suddeutsche Zeitung, the 2014 World Cup winner said, "I expect my record to be broken in this tournament."

"With more teams, there are more matches and therefore more opportunities to score goals. And I expect Argentina and France to go far. That's perfectly fine, the record will be broken eventually anyway, Messi is welcome to do it. I'm a huge Messi fan, always have been."

He also had special praise for Lionel Messi and revealed that he and Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni are 'good friends'.

"Messi is a genius. And I also have a lot of respect for the Argentinian coach Scaloni. I played with him at Lazio. He showed me around the city a bit back then. We're good friends," he said.

Other than winning the 2014 World Cup, Klose finished second with Germany in 2002, where they lost to Brazil in the final. He was also part of the team which finished third in 2006 and 2010. He scored five goals on his World Cup debut in 2002 and won the Golden Boot in 2006, scoring five again. He bagged four goals in 2010 and scored twice in 2014. In 2014, he also overtook Ronaldo's then-record of 15 goals. He retired from international football in August 2014.

Meanwhile, for Messi and Mbappe, it will be about winning the title this year. Argentina defeated France in the 2022 final, and it was an entertaining affair.

The South Americans took a 2-0 lead at half-time, courtesy of a Messi penalty and a goal from Angel Di Maria. But Mbappe came to France's rescue in the 80th minute, converting a penalty and then volleying the equaliser in the next minute. After Messi made it 3-2 in extra-time, Mbappe once again equalised for France, converting another penalty. In the shootout, Argentina came out on top and France failed to make it back-to-back titles.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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