Lionel Messi, Pele and the top 10 World Cup players in tournament history - ranked

A ranking of the top World Cup players in tournament history spotlights how certain stars leave marks across multiple editions, regardless of whether they dominate club careers. The article examines, first among others, Miroslav Klose of Germany, highlighting his 71 international goals in 137 appearances, including 16 scored in World Cup finals. It credits his record run to Germany’s 7-1 win over Brazil in Belo Horizonte, the same evening he became the first player to reach four consecutive World Cup semifinals. The piece notes that his tally was later equaled by Lionel Messi, while Klose is described as an aerial threat, “poacher,” and a player who never lost a match in which he scored. The article also begins a section on Zinedine Zidane, referencing his 1998 World Cup debut and the red card incident involving Saudi Arabia.