Top 10 Footballers with Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup

The FIFA World Cup has always been the biggest stage for footballers to prove themselves. Over the decades, some players have left an unforgettable mark with their goal-scoring exploits.

Here Are The Top 10 Footballers with Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup

10. Grzegorz Lato (Poland, 1974) – 7 Goals

Grzegorz Lato was Poland’s shining star at the 1974 World Cup in West Germany. Known for his pace and sharp finishing, he netted 7 goals across the tournament, leading Poland to an impressive third-place finish. His strikes were vital in victories against teams like Argentina and Brazil. Lato’s ability to turn up on the big stage earned him the Golden Boot as the top scorer of the 1974 edition.

The legacy of his performance remains one of the standout moments in Polish football history. His achievements are always remembered whenever discussions about the Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup arise. In fact, Lato’s story proves that even players from outside the traditional powerhouses can dominate the biggest stage. His goals remain a reminder of Poland’s golden generation and continue to be linked with the historic records of the Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup.

Player	Country	Year	Goals	Matches Played	Achievement
Grzegorz Lato	Poland	1974	7	7	Golden Boot Winner

9. Jairzinho (Brazil, 1970) – 7 Goals

Jairzinho’s name is synonymous with the legendary Brazilian team that won the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. He scored in every single match of the tournament, a record that still stands. With 7 goals in 6 matches, he played a pivotal role in Brazil’s march to the trophy. Unlike other top scorers, Jairzinho’s tally was spread across games, proving his consistency and influence. His unique record of scoring in each match has cemented him as a global football icon.

When people talk about the Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup, Jairzinho’s story always adds extra weight because he combined individual brilliance with team success. His performance was not just about goals but about timing, leadership, and flair. Jairzinho’s record continues to inspire Brazilians, and his achievements remain forever tied to the elite group of players who recorded the Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup.

Player	Country	Year	Goals	Matches Played	Achievement
Jairzinho	Brazil	1970	7	6	Scored in Every Match, World Cup Winner

8. Leonidas (Brazil, 1938) – 7 Goals

Leonidas da Silva, famously called the “Black Diamond,” lit up the 1938 World Cup in France with his dazzling style and finishing. Despite playing only four matches, he scored 7 goals, including a memorable hat-trick against Poland. Leonidas brought flair to the tournament, often remembered for playing barefoot in one match due to discomfort with his boots. He won the Golden Boot and became Brazil’s first global football superstar.

Discussions about the Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup always mention Leonidas, as his efficiency and impact were remarkable. Averaging nearly two goals per match, Leonidas showcased the magic of South American attacking football. His charisma, creativity, and scoring instincts remain legendary. Leonidas’s brilliance has made him an enduring figure, and he stands firmly in the group of stars celebrated for achieving the Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup, long before Pelé and Ronaldo emerged.

Player	Country	Year	Goals	Matches Played	Achievement
Leonidas	Brazil	1938	7	4	Golden Boot Winner, Nicknamed “Black Diamond”

7. Kylian Mbappé (France, 2022) – 8 Goals

Kylian Mbappé’s sensational performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar cemented his place among the legends. He scored 8 goals, including a stunning hat-trick in the final against Argentina, making him only the second player to do so in a World Cup final. His pace, dribbling, and deadly finishing made him unstoppable. Mbappé carried France to the brink of back-to-back titles, and though they finished runners-up, his Golden Boot-winning exploits remain iconic.

When analysts discuss the Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup, Mbappé’s brilliance shines through as a modern reminder of how individual genius can define a tournament. His ability to perform under pressure and on the grandest stage sets him apart. With his young age at the time, many expect him to break even more records. Mbappé’s 2022 heroics guarantee his legacy among players who achieved the Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup.

Player	Country	Year	Goals	Matches Played	Achievement
Kylian Mbappé	France	2022	8	7	Golden Boot Winner, Hat-trick in Final

6. Ronaldo (Brazil, 2002) – 8 Goals

Ronaldo’s comeback at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan is one of football’s greatest stories. After years of injuries, he silenced doubters by scoring 8 goals, leading Brazil to their fifth World Cup title. His tally included two goals in the final against Germany, sealing the trophy for his nation. Ronaldo’s blistering pace, clinical finishing, and big-match temperament were on full display.

His achievements in 2002 are always linked with the Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup, showing how resilience and talent can produce greatness. Ronaldo’s redemption arc made him a global hero, and his Golden Boot added to his already legendary career. The way he bounced back from adversity remains inspirational. Every time football fans revisit the Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup, Ronaldo’s 2002 performance is hailed as one of the most unforgettable chapters in World Cup history.

Player	Country	Year	Goals	Matches Played	Achievement
Ronaldo	Brazil	2002	8	7	Golden Boot Winner, World Cup Champion

5. Guillermo Stábile (Argentina, 1930) – 8 Goals

Guillermo Stábile made history in the inaugural 1930 World Cup in Uruguay. Remarkably, he scored 8 goals in just 4 matches, winning the Golden Boot despite not featuring in Argentina’s first game. His debut was breathtaking, scoring a hat-trick against Mexico. Stábile’s goals carried Argentina to the final, where they narrowly lost to Uruguay. His performance made him the first-ever Golden Boot winner in World Cup history.

The discussions around the Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup always highlight Stábile, as he set the benchmark for future generations. Scoring at such a high rate in the first edition of the tournament gave the World Cup an unforgettable beginning. His clinical finishing and natural instincts made him one of Argentina’s earliest legends. Even decades later, Stábile’s feat continues to inspire strikers and is still celebrated as part of the tradition of the Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup.

Player	Country	Year	Goals	Matches Played	Achievement
Guillermo Stábile	Argentina	1930	8	4	Golden Boot Winner, Debut Tournament

4. Eusébio (Portugal, 1966) – 9 Goals

Eusébio, the “Black Panther,” delivered a masterclass at the 1966 World Cup in England. With 9 goals, he won the Golden Boot and carried Portugal to a third-place finish in their first-ever World Cup appearance. His most famous performance came against North Korea, where he scored four goals to overturn a 3-0 deficit. Eusébio’s athleticism, speed, and finishing prowess made him nearly unstoppable.

When evaluating the Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup, Eusébio’s story stands out for his sheer dominance and influence on matches. He was not just scoring but also leading and inspiring his teammates. His brilliance in 1966 cemented his legacy as Portugal’s greatest footballer before Cristiano Ronaldo. Eusébio’s exploits at that tournament continue to be one of the most cherished chapters in World Cup history, placing him firmly among the legends who achieved the Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup.

Player	Country	Year	Goals	Matches Played	Achievement
Eusébio	Portugal	1966	9	6	Golden Boot Winner

3. Ademir (Brazil, 1950) – 9 Goals

Ademir de Menezes was Brazil’s star forward during the 1950 World Cup, hosted on home soil. He scored 9 goals in 6 matches, winning the Golden Boot. Ademir’s goals helped Brazil reach the final round-robin stage, but the team famously lost to Uruguay in the “Maracanazo.” Despite the heartbreak, Ademir’s performances remain legendary. His ability to score from both feet and his clever movement made him a nightmare for defenders.

In discussions about the Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup, Ademir’s name stands out as a symbol of brilliance mixed with tragedy. His 1950 tally set a South American standard for goal-scoring. Even though Brazil fell short, Ademir’s Golden Boot was a personal triumph. His contribution remains an iconic chapter in Brazil’s footballing history and ensures his place among the select few players who achieved the Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup.

Player	Country	Year	Goals	Matches Played	Achievement
Ademir	Brazil	1950	9	6	Golden Boot Winner, Runner-up

2. Gerd Müller (West Germany, 1970) – 10 Goals

Gerd Müller, known as “Der Bomber,” delivered one of the finest World Cup scoring exhibitions in 1970. He netted 10 goals in just 6 matches, including back-to-back hat-tricks against Bulgaria and Peru. His predatory instincts, strength, and uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time made him unstoppable. Müller’s performance earned him the Golden Boot and established him as one of football’s greatest strikers.

When the topic of the Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup comes up, Müller’s 1970 heroics remain a shining example of efficiency and power. His goalscoring form continued in 1974 when he led West Germany to the title. Müller’s ability to dominate defenses in an era filled with legendary players cements his legacy. His achievements in Mexico continue to be celebrated, ensuring that he is always mentioned among the elite who scored the Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup.

Player	Country	Year	Goals	Matches Played	Achievement
Gerd Müller	West Germany	1970	10	6	Golden Boot Winner

1. Just Fontaine (France, 1958) – 13 Goals

Just Fontaine’s record in the 1958 World Cup remains untouched and perhaps unbeatable. The French striker scored 13 goals in just 6 matches in Sweden, a feat that still stands as the highest tally in a single World Cup. Fontaine’s consistency and variety of finishing were breathtaking—long shots, close-range strikes, and clinical penalties. His 13-goal haul carried France to a third-place finish, their best result until 1982.

Every debate about the Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup begins and ends with Fontaine, whose record seems immortal. He scored in every match he played, including four goals against West Germany. Fontaine’s story is also remarkable because he wasn’t initially the first-choice striker. Yet, his unforgettable tournament etched his name in history. Generations of strikers have tried but failed to surpass him, making Fontaine the ultimate standard-bearer of the Most Goals by a Player in a Single World Cup.

Player	Country	Year	Goals	Matches Played	Achievement
Just Fontaine	France	1958	13	6	Golden Boot Winner, Record Holder

FAQs

Also Read:

• Top 10 Most Shocking Transfer Collapses in Football History
• Top 10 Incredible Players Missing from EA FC 26
• Top 10 Surprise European Transfers You Probably Missed
• Top 10 Summer Transfers That Have Been Instant Successes