world cup 5 top scorers

1. Ronaldo – 15 goals

 For more than a decade Ronaldo was Brazil’s hitman. Unrivaled power, pace to frighten any defense and ruthlessness in front of goal that many looked at in awe; Ronaldo was the all-round package. Not only does he remain the World Cup’s leading scorer, but his list of honors reads more like a bibliography, having set the world alight at Inter Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid, to name but three.

 

2. Miroslav Klose – 15 goals

 Germany’s most prolific World Cup goalscorer, Miroslav Klose has played in four tournaments and equalled Ronaldo's record with a far post strike against Ghana at the 2014 World Cup. His World Cup highlights include a hat trick at his debut tournament in Korea/Japan against Saudi Arabia and a runners-up medal against Ronaldo’s Brazil in 2006. One of the game's ultimate poachers.

 

3. Gerd Muller – 14 goals

 Another German goalscoring legend makes up the top three. Der Bomber, as he was known, sits level with fellow countryman Klose on 14, a tally that saw him top the tables for World Cup goalscorers for a 32-year period before Ronaldo broke it in 2006. Muller’s career record is staggering, but it comes as no surprise given his quality. It took someone as special as Lionel Messi to beat his record of scoring 85 goals in one calendar year

 

4. Just Fontaine – 13 goals

Frenchman Fontaine’s record of 13 goals in World Cups is a unique one, given they all came in one edition; Sweden 1958. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that Fontaine’s club career was epitomized by his goalscoring prowess. Despite never breaking away from the French leagues, Fontaine was renowned as one of the most lethal strikers in Europe, and will continue to grace World Cup records for a very long time.

 

5. Pele – 12 goals

Little needs to be said of Pele, other than his 12 World Cup goals helped inspire what is hailed as the greatest Brazil side of all time to three tournament victories. Edison Arantes do Nascimento was a genius on the ball, a marvel for his side, and someone who, to many, remains the greatest soccer player to ha ever lived. His skill was typical of a Brazilian, but his ingenuity and subtlety was a joy to behold and something that we may never see again, despite what is said of a certain Lionel Messi.