All time top scorers playing for their countries at this World Cup.

Tim Cahill - Australia
Didier Drogba - Ivory Coast
Edin Dzeko - Bosnia and Herzegovina
Samuel Eto'o - Cameroon
Asamoah Gyan - Ghana
Alexander Kerzhakov - Russia
Miroslav Klose - Germany
Robin van Persie - Netherlands
Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal
Luis Suarez - Uruguay
David Villa - Spain

Incredible!

It's only a matter of time for Neymar and Messi as well.

And Rooney

You'd think so but he's making hard work of it. He should have surpassed Charlton years ago.

More internationals and thus players have more caps these days.

Klose is the top all time scorer for Germany with 70 goals in 133 caps.

Gerd Muller scored 68 goals in just 62 games.

Gary Lineker scored 48 in 80, Rooney has 40 in 94 games. Although argubly these players will go down as their countries greatest, I do think caps to goal ratio should be considered with these comparisons.

Lineker scored 10 goals in just 2 WC's, whereas Klose scored 15 in 4 world cups. I personally think that should speak volumes of how good Lineker was and how it was a tragedy he himself didn't break Bobby Charltons record.

But that, of course, doesn't tell the true story. Rooney has scored just one goal at the last 32 stage at three World Cups (2006, 2010,2014). In terms of delivering goals at the highest level, against the best teams in the world, he's been a huge flop. So this does undermine his other 39 goals (although an impressive feat).

No it doesn't.

No it doesn't what? You saying Rooney hasn't flopped at three WCs? The stats say he has.

Nice idea for a thread, it's great that there's so many players that are legends for their country in this World Cup. Shame it's likely going to turn into another Rooney is a flop debate.

I'm saying that him scoring at one tournament doesn't undermine 39 international goals.