Mbappé Breaks World Cup Scoring Record, Eyes Golden Boot in Race with Messi

Kylian Mbappé has etched his name in World Cup history, scoring twice against England in a thrilling third-place playoff match. His brace brought his tournament total to 10 goals, breaking Gerd Müller's 56-year-old record for the most goals scored in a single World Cup. The French star's performance highlights a tournament that has been particularly conducive to offensive records, with several individual talents shining.

Mbappé's remarkable achievement places him in a tight race with Lionel Messi for the Golden Boot. Messi, with 8 goals, has an opportunity to match Mbappé's tally in the upcoming final. This ongoing duel between the two footballing giants has captivated fans, as they have not only surpassed Müller's record but also Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record. Mbappé now stands at 22 goals in 22 matches, while Messi has 21 goals in 33 appearances, with both players, particularly the younger Mbappé, poised to extend their records in future tournaments.

“

I would prefer not to be the top scorer and play the final.

Despite his individual success, Mbappé expressed a desire to be in the final rather than competing for the top scorer award. This sentiment echoes Messi's own past declarations, where he has prioritized team success over individual accolades. The Argentine star famously showed little joy upon receiving the Golden Ball award after Argentina's 2014 World Cup final loss, emphasizing his singular focus on winning the trophy for his country.

Should Messi score twice against Spain in the final and tie Mbappé's goal count, the tie-breaking criteria will come into play. The first is the number of assists, where both players are currently level with four. The second is the number of minutes played, with the player who has spent less time on the field being awarded the Golden Boot.

“

It means very little, I don't care about anything right now. I just wanted to bring the Cup to Argentina.