Mbappe overtakes Messi to become World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer
Kylian Mbappe has become the highest goalscorer in World Cup history after surpassing Lionel Messi’s record.
The French captain scored twice in France’s 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place play-off at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, taking his overall tournament tally to 22 goals.
Mbappe now sits one goal ahead of Messi, who is set to feature for Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup final against Spain.
France mounted a spirited second-half fightback after trailing 4-0 at the break, but were unable to overturn England’s commanding lead.
Mbappe opened France’s scoring in the 48th minute with a composed finish inside the penalty area.
After Bradley Barcola reduced the deficit further, Mbappe struck again in the 66th minute, firing home from the edge of the box after being set up by Michael Olise.
The goal was his 10th of the ongoing World Cup, putting him two clear of Messi in the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot.
Mbappe also became the first player to score at least 10 goals in a single World Cup since Germany’s Gerd Muller achieved the feat in 1970.
Top five all-time World Cup goalscorers:
- Kylian Mbappe – 22 goals
- Lionel Messi – 21 goals
- Miroslav Klose – 16 goals
- Ronaldo Nazario – 15 goals
- Gerd Muller – 14 goals