World Cup records, Messi and Mbappe "threaten" some of the historic achievements

The World Cup has always been the stage where football's greatest records have been set and broken. The 2026 edition could bring new chapters to history, with names like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé aiming to leave further unforgettable marks.

Messi, Ronaldo and Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa have made history as the only footballers to have participated in six World Cups, a feat that requires more than two decades of careers at the highest levels.

Another record that could fall is that of the top scorer in World Cup history. Germany's Miroslav Klose holds the top spot with 16 goals, but Kylian Mbappé is very close, with 12 goals in just two editions. Even Messi, with 13 goals, still has a chance to equal or surpass the record in the final tournament of his career.

Meanwhile, Just Fontaine's record of 13 goals in a single World Cup, set in 1958, continues to look almost unattainable. Neither Ronaldo in 2002 nor Mbappé in 2022 managed more than 8 goals in a tournament.

Equally difficult to break remains the record of Brazilian legend Pelé, the only footballer to have won three World Cups, in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

Cristiano Ronaldo also leads the list of players who have scored in the most World Cups, with goals in five different tournaments. Messi follows with four and aims to close the gap in 2026.

Among the most notable records are Oleg Salenko's five goals in a single World Cup match in 1994, as well as the fastest goal in history, scored by Hakan Şükür after just 11 seconds in 2002.

With the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams and more matches on the calendar, some historical records could be seriously jeopardized, while others continue to seem untouchable even after decades.

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