Miroslav Klose congratulates Lionel Messi on FIFA World Cup goals record

Miroslav Klose has hailed Lionel Messi as "the best player of all time" after the Argentina captain broke his record for most FIFA World Cup goals.

Klose struck 16 times on football's grandest stage during a storied playing career for Germany, before Messi set a new gold standard with his brace against Austria in World Cup 2026 Group J on 22 June.

"For me, Lionel Messi is the best of all time," the now Nuremberg head coach told Süddeutsche Zeitung after the Argentina talisman moved onto 18 World Cup goals. "Congratulations, champ!"

Messi has scored three goals in two group games at World Cup 2026. - Chris Brunskill/Fantasista

Klose made a total of 24 World Cup appearances, playing across and scoring in four consecutive tournaments: 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014.

Messi, meanwhile, has featured in a record-extending 28 matches at the finals since debuting at Germany 2006, only failing to score in the 2010 edition.

Klose remains Germany's all-time leading scorer with 71 goals in 137 appearances. - imago sportfotodienst

Klose won the adidas Golden Boot in 2006 with five goals, before helping Germany lift World Cup 2014. A tournament winner with Argentina in 2022, Messi is yet to claim the top scorer's prize.