Mbappé overtakes Messi in World Cup scoring record during France’s comeback
The Real Madrid forward’s 22nd career goal surpasses Lionel Messi’s previous tally, while also securing the Golden Boot lead ahead of Sunday’s final.
Kylian Mbappé has surpassed Lionel Messi to become the all-time leading goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history, a milestone achieved during France’s third-place playoff against England on Saturday. The Real Madrid forward scored his 21st and 22nd career tournament goals, leapfrogging the Argentine legend on the official record charts.
The match presented a significant challenge for Les Bleus, who trailed 4-0 at half-time. Mbappé initiated the comeback with a first-time finish in the 48th minute, prompting a shift in momentum. Bradley Barcola reduced the deficit before Mbappé, the France captain, added his second goal in the 66th minute to secure a 4-3 victory.
Mbappé’s brace not only rewrites the all-time scoring record but also places him at the top of the tournament’s Golden Boot race. He has scored 10 goals in North America, edging out Messi, who sits on eight. The achievement marks a significant shift in the statistical hierarchy of the 2026 competition.
Messi previously held the record, having surpassed Miroslav Klose’s long-standing tally. His path to the previous record included a hat-trick in Argentina’s tournament opener and two goals against Austria. He added further goals against Jordan, Cape Verde, and Egypt, but Mbappé’s performance in the third-place match has now overtaken his total.
The 27-year-old has been a consistent presence on the World Cup stage since winning the Young Player of the Tournament award in 2018. While he scored a hat-trick in the 2022 final, he was unable to prevent Argentina from claiming the title. Messi, now 39, is participating in his sixth World Cup and remains the focal point for Argentina as they prepare for Sunday’s final against Spain in New Jersey.
The outcome of the third-place playoff has resolved the immediate hierarchy for the semi-final losers, with England finishing fourth and France securing third. However, the narrative of the tournament’s conclusion remains focused on the final, where Messi retains the opportunity to reclaim the all-time scoring record.
