The update puts Messi on 13 World Cup goals, three behind Klose’s total. The expanded 48-team format offers more matches, creating a larger stage for a player who has already turned the latter part of his international career into a remarkable scoring run.
Klose’s attitude is strikingly generous. “Sou um grande fã do Messi, sempre fui,” he said, making clear that admiration outweighs any personal attachment to the record.
For Messi, four more goals would be enough to move beyond Klose. Three would bring the pair level.
The immediate concern is whether Messi will be fully available for Argentina’s opener against Algeria. The report says he suffered a muscular injury in his final MLS appearance for Inter Miami, leaving uncertainty over whether he will start at full fitness.
That question matters as much as the record itself. Messi’s route to the top depends on minutes, rhythm and Argentina progressing deep into the competition. Even a player of his quality may need careful management at this stage of his career.
Messi’s World Cup scoring has been built across multiple tournaments, with his most productive campaign coming in Qatar, where he finally scored in the knockout rounds and helped Argentina lift the trophy.
Klose, meanwhile, has already accepted that his mark may be temporary. He reportedly described Messi as a “gênio” and has voiced hope that both Argentina and France enjoy long campaigns.
The next storyline arrives against Algeria: whether Messi can take the field, find his rhythm and begin what could be the final assault on one of football’s most celebrated records.