Mbappe Overtakes Messi to Become All-Time World Cup Top Scorer

Kylian Mbappe has achieved a new milestone, becoming the all-time leading scorer in the history of the FIFA World Cup. The French forward netted two goals in the third-place playoff match against England, bringing his total World Cup tally to 22 goals, surpassing Lionel Messi's previous record of 21.

This performance also propelled Mbappe to the top of the scoring charts for the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. He finished the tournament with 10 goals, while Messi remained at eight. This achievement marks a significant individual success for Mbappe, even as his team, France, fell short of securing a medal.

The third-place match itself was a dramatic affair. France found themselves in a precarious position, trailing England 0-4 at halftime. Mbappe's second-half brace, along with an assist to Bradley Barcola, sparked a remarkable comeback attempt, but it was ultimately insufficient as England secured a 6-4 victory.

In addition to Mbappe's record, the match saw another historic performance. Michael Olise of England set a new record for the most assists in a single World Cup tournament, providing seven assists and breaking Pele's previous record of six. Mbappe reflected on France's performance, noting a significant shift in attitude during the second half, stating, "In the second half, we became high-level players again, mental machines that no longer have feelings. We managed to do what we know how to do. We won the second half, but, in the end, we didn't win the match."

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In the second half, we became high-level players again, mental machines that no longer have feelings. We managed to do what we know how to do. We won the second half, but, in the end, we didn't win the match.