Miroslav Klose, the retired German striker and record holder for most goals scored in FIFA World Cup history, has expressed confidence that his record will be surpassed in the near future. Speaking ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Klose acknowledged the evolving nature of the tournament and praised current top contenders Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe as potential candidates to eclipse his mark.

Klose, who scored 16 goals across 24 World Cup matches spanning four tournaments from 2002 to 2014, holds the record by a narrow margin. He stands one goal ahead of Brazilian legend Ronaldo, who scored 15 goals, and West Germany’s Gerd Muller, who netted 14. Among active players, Argentina’s 38-year-old Lionel Messi has scored 13 goals in 26 appearances, while France captain Mbappe, 27, has 12 goals, a tally that also equals that of Brazilian icon Pele.

The former Bayern Munich forward emphasized that the expansion of the World Cup, which now features more teams and an increased number of matches per tournament, enhances the likelihood that the record will be broken. “I’m convinced of that,” Klose said, suggesting that either Messi or Mbappe could claim the record in the upcoming competition.

While Klose expressed openness to seeing his record surpassed, he also conveyed particular admiration for Messi. "I would be happy if it was Messi, because I really appreciate him as a player," he commented, highlighting the respect he holds for the Argentine star.

As the World Cup approaches, attention will remain focused on whether Messi, Mbappe, or another emerging talent will break Klose’s long-standing goal-scoring record. The tournament’s expanded format and heightened competition continue to create opportunities for players to leave their mark on World Cup history.