Mbappé surpasses Messi: World Cup top scorer (10) and all-time top scorer (22)

Kylian Mbappé has edged past Lionel Messi in two significant World Cup records following the conclusion of the 2026 tournament. Mbappé, at 27, has claimed the title of top scorer for the 2026 World Cup with 10 goals and has also become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 22 goals. This surpasses Messi, who finished the recent tournament with 8 goals and has a career total of 21 World Cup goals.

Messi, 39, had a strong start to the 2026 World Cup, scoring in the group stage and the round of 16. However, he did not find the net in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, or the final. Despite this, Messi became the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches and was, for a period, the all-time leading scorer. His journey in the World Cup spans six appearances, beginning in 2006.

Mbappé's path to his records was marked by sustained performance. He scored 4 goals in his debut World Cup in 2018, doubled that tally in 2022, and significantly surpassed his previous best with 10 goals in 2026. His goals in the recent tournament included braces against Senegal and Iraq in the group stage, two against Sweden in the round of 16, one penalty against Paraguay in the knockout stage, one against Morocco in the quarter-finals, and two against England in the third-place match.

The 2026 World Cup, which saw Spain defeat Argentina 1-0 after extra time, concluded with a total of 308 goals scored in 104 matches. The 100th goal was scored by Cody Gakpo of the Netherlands on June 20, and the 200th by Derrick Luckassen of Ghana on June 27. Bukayo Saka of England scored the 300th goal on July 18 during the third-place match.