Kylian Mbappé passes Lionel Messi's World Cup goal-scoring record
Kylian Mbappé has officially set a new standard in international soccer. During the 2026 World Cup third-place playoff, the French captain netted his 21st and 22nd career tournament goals. This achievement moves him past Lionel Messi on the all-time scoring list for the competition.
The record-setting performance occurred during a high-scoring 6-4 loss to England in Miami Gardens. Despite a difficult first half where France trailed by four goals, Mbappé sparked a second-half resurgence with two clinical finishes. His teammate Bradley Barcola also added to the tally as France attempted to claw back into the match.
While Mbappé now holds the record, the total is subject to change as Lionel Messi prepares for the upcoming final between Argentina and Spain. Messi, currently playing in his sixth World Cup, remains a major factor in the tournament narrative. Following the match, Mbappé noted that his focus remained on the team result rather than personal milestones.
The 27-year-old forward has been a major figure in the tournament since his debut, earning the Young Player of the Tournament award in 2018. His current tally of 10 goals in the 2026 tournament also puts him in a strong position for the Golden Boot award. While France fell short of a medal, the match provided a historical statistical update to the record books.