Ronaldo joins top 10 all-time W’Cup goal scorers, Messi, Mbappe lead

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo climbed into the top 10 of the all-time FIFA World Cup goalscorers after scoring twice in his side’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan on Tuesday evening.

The 41-year-old struck in the sixth and 39th minute to take his World Cup tally to 10 goals, becoming the first player in history to score in six different World Cup tournaments.

The brace also saw him surpass Portuguese legend Eusébio’s nine-goal World Cup record.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi remains the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 18 goals, having overtaken Germany’s Miroslav Klose earlier in the competition.

France star Kylian Mbappé is second among active players with 16 goals, level with Klose’s previous record.

A list of the World Cup’s all-time leading scorers after Cristiano Ronaldo scored a double on Tuesday.

Updated list:

18 – Lionel Messi (ARG)

16 – Miroslav Klose (GER), Kylian Mbappe (FRA)

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15 – Ronaldo (BRA)

14 – Gerd Mueller (GER)

13 – Just Fontaine (FRA)

12 – Pele (BRA)

11 – Jurgen Klinsmann (GER), Sandor Kocsis (HUN)

10 – Gabriel Batistuta (ARG), Harry Kane (ENG), Helmut Rahn (GER), Gary Lineker (ENG), Teofilo Cubillas (PER), Thomas Mueller (GER), Grzegorz Lato (POL), Cristiano Ronaldo (POR).

Ronaldo’s latest feat adds another chapter to his illustrious career.

The Portugal captain now holds the unique distinction of scoring at six consecutive FIFA World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026) while also extending his men’s international record to 145 goals.

Tosin Oyediran

Tosin Oyediran is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over eight years of professional experience in reporting and storytelling. He is known for conducting incisive interviews and producing compelling human-angle stories that bring clarity and depth to the news. Tosin covers a broad range of beats including politics, health, advocacy, sports, and entertainment, with a strong focus on people-centred reporting. His work reflects firsthand newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a commitment to accurate, engaging, and trustworthy journalism.

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