Former Germany striker Miroslav Klose has paid tribute to Lionel Messi after the Argentina captain surpassed his record for the most FIFA World Cup goals in history.
Klose, who scored 16 goals across four World Cup tournaments, described Messi as “the greatest player of all time” following the Argentine star’s latest milestone.
Messi moved beyond Klose’s long-standing record after scoring twice against Austria in Argentina’s Group J clash at the FIFA World Cup 2026, taking his total to 18 World Cup goals.
The achievement places him at the top of the all-time scoring chart in the competition’s history, further strengthening his legacy on football’s biggest stage.
Klose, who now works as a head coach, offered warm congratulations, praising Messi’s consistency and longevity at the highest level.
He reflected on his own career across four World Cups, while acknowledging that Messi has redefined what is possible in terms of goal-scoring at the tournament.
Since his World Cup debut in 2006, Messi has appeared in a record number of matches at the finals and has been a consistent presence across multiple editions.
Despite winning the tournament in 2022, the record-breaking scoring feat in 2026 adds another historic chapter to his international career.
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