Mbappe wins World Cup Golden Boot

Kylian Mbappe has claimed the prestigious 2026 World Cup Golden Boot, capping a remarkable individual performance despite France's absence from the final match. The French captain netted an impressive 10 goals throughout the tournament, securing the top scorer title ahead of football legend Lionel Messi.

Messi, who finished the competition with eight goals, was unable to add to his tally in the final held in New Jersey. Following closely behind were England's Jude Bellingham and Norway's Erling Haaland, both finishing with seven goals each. This marks the second consecutive World Cup where Mbappe has won the Golden Boot, having previously achieved the feat in the 2022 tournament held in Qatar, where France ultimately finished as runners-up.

Mbappe, who also scored twice in Saturday's third-place playoff match, has now cemented his status as a prolific World Cup scorer. Across three World Cup appearances since his debut in 2018, the 27-year-old Real Madrid forward has accumulated 22 goals, surpassing Messi by one goal to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.

Despite the individual accolade, Mbappe conveyed a sense of team-oriented disappointment. "I would have preferred not to be the all-time top scorer and to be playing tomorrow's match," he stated, reflecting a desire to compete for the World Cup title rather than individual honors. His sentiment highlights a focus on collective success over personal achievement, even as he reaches new heights in his career.

“

I would have preferred not to be the all-time top scorer and to be playing tomorrow’s match.