With the Oscar-nominated film “American Sniper” earning more than $30 million at the box office this weekend and over $240 million altogether, thousands of people now see U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle as the deadliest American sniper. But he may not be the world’s most lethal sharpshooter, the U.K.’s Telegraph and the Sun reported Monday.

An unnamed Royal Marine is allegedly the world’s deadliest sniper with 173 confirmed kills against Taliban insurgents, the Telegraph reported. Kyle reportedly accumulated 160 confirmed kills (of 255 probable kills) during his 10 years with the U.S. Navy SEALs, according to his book. After four Iraq tours, Kyle earned multiple accolades, which included the Bronze and Silver stars.

But the British corporal in question, who is still serving, could have a kill count that is higher, sources told the Sun via the Telegraph. "He is one of a unique band of marksmen who have done extraordinary things,” an insider said. "He's not the sort of man to brag. He's very professional and humble, but with a gun in his hands this bloke is deadlier than the plague. He's a legend, a unique breed."

The Ministry of Defense will not comment on the Royal Marine’s identity or how many confirmed kills he has. "Only people inside the community know about his incredible contribution -- but young recruits are in awe of him,” a source said.

The reports by the Telegraph and the Sun emerged on the same day Texas Gov. Greg Abbott named Feb. 2 as “Chris Kyle Day.” “We need heroes to protect us from evil like Chris Kyle did,” Abbott said on "Fox and Friends," before the proclamation was signed at the Texas Capitol. “He is the face of so many other military heroes that we’ve had in this country.”

“The reason why all these other people have the First Amendment right to criticize Chris Kyle is because he had the guts to stand up and defend this country and its Constitution,” Abbott said. “They should all be on their knees thanking Chris Kyle that we have the United States Constitution.”

Fellow vet Eddie Ray Routh allegedly killed Kyle, a Texas native, two years ago at a North Texas gun range.

Follow me on Twitter @mariamzzarella