Miroslav Klose, the all-time World Cup top scorer with 16 goals, says he expects Lionel Messi to break his record at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Messi enters the tournament three goals behind Klose with 13 World Cup strikes, while Kylian Mbappe trails with 12. Klose expressed genuine admiration for Messi and noted his friendship with Argentina coach Scaloni, with whom he played at Lazio. The expanded 48-team format increases scoring opportunities, though Messi arrives carrying a muscle injury concern ahead of Argentina’s Group B opener against Algeria.
