Mbappe overtakes Messi's World Cup record, backs Argentina star to reclaim it in final
Synopsis
Kylian Mbappe surpassed Lionel Messi as the World Cup's all-time top scorer with 22 goals — then handed his rival the spotlight, predicting Messi will score in Monday's final against Spain and reclaim the record. It is the most extraordinary passing of a baton in football history, and it may last less than 90 minutes.
Key Takeaways
Kylian Mbappe became the FIFA World Cup's all-time top scorer on 19 July 2026 , reaching 22 goals in 22 matches .
His brace in France's 6-4 third-place loss to England moved him one goal ahead of Lionel Messi's tally of 21 .
Mbappe scored 10 goals in 8 matches at the 2026 World Cup in North America , leading the Golden Boot race by 2 goals .
Mbappe predicted Messi will score in Monday's final against Spain , which would see the Argentina captain reclaim the all-time record.
Both players surpassed former Germany striker Miroslav Klose's previous record of 16 World Cup goals during this tournament.
France captain Kylian Mbappe overtook Lionel Messi as the FIFA World Cup's all-time top scorer on 19 July in Miami, then immediately predicted the Argentina captain would reclaim the record in Monday's final against Spain. The remarkable exchange of the milestone underscores just how close — and how fiercely contested — the greatest individual rivalry in football history remains.
How Mbappe Reached the Top
Mbappe netted twice in France's 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place play-off on Saturday, lifting his all-time World Cup tally to 22 goals from just 22 matches — one ahead of Messi's 21. The 27-year-old had entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America with 12 goals across the 2018 and 2022 editions, and added 10 more across Canada, Mexico, and the United States to surpass the Argentina legend.
Both players had begun this tournament chasing former Germany striker Miroslav Klose's long-standing record of 16 World Cup goals. Messi first equalled, then surpassed Klose during Argentina's campaign before reaching 21 goals, only for Mbappe to leapfrog him with his brace against England.
Mbappe's Prediction for the Final
Despite claiming the historic milestone, Mbappe was characteristically generous about his long-time rival. Speaking to Fox Sports after the third-place match, he said: 'Leo, he scores all the time. Tomorrow he will score, for sure.' The prediction sets up one of the most compelling individual storylines in World Cup final history — a record that could change hands again within 24 hours.
Notably, Mbappe also leads the Golden Boot race heading into the final, sitting two goals clear of Messi with his 10 goals in eight matches at this tournament alone — a striking rate of more than a goal per game.
A Bittersweet Milestone for France
Mbappe acknowledged that the personal record offered little comfort in the context of France's elimination. 'I just try to help my team every time. It's certain that when you score so many goals in the World Cup, it elevates you to certain levels. But I would have preferred not to be the top scorer in history and play the match tomorrow,' he said. France's defeat to England ended his hopes of appearing in a second successive World Cup final, having reached the final in 2022.
What Happens in the Final
If Messi scores against Spain on Monday — as Mbappe fully expects — the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner will reclaim the top spot on the all-time World Cup scoring charts. The Argentina captain has already rewritten the record books at this tournament, and one more goal would hand him back the title of the competition's most prolific scorer in history. All eyes now shift to the final, where football's greatest player could deliver one more defining chapter.
Point of View
Just a quiet acknowledgement that Messi will likely answer. The Golden Boot race is almost secondary to the question of who ends the tournament as history's greatest World Cup scorer — and the fact that both men are still in that conversation, at 27 and 38 respectively, is without precedent. What mainstream coverage underplays is the structural asymmetry: Mbappe reached 22 goals in 22 matches; Messi reached 21 in far more. The efficiency gap is closing, but the narrative gravity still bends toward Messi — and Mbappe himself seems to accept that.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many World Cup goals does Kylian Mbappe have?
Kylian Mbappe has scored 22 World Cup goals in 22 matches as of 19 July 2026, making him the competition's all-time top scorer. He scored 12 goals across the 2018 and 2022 editions and added 10 more at the 2026 tournament in North America.
How many World Cup goals does Lionel Messi have?
Lionel Messi has scored 21 World Cup goals heading into the 2026 final against Spain on Monday. A goal in the final would take him back ahead of Mbappe and restore his status as the tournament's all-time leading scorer.
Who held the World Cup all-time scoring record before Messi and Mbappe?
Former Germany striker Miroslav Klose held the record with 16 World Cup goals before this tournament. Both Messi and Mbappe surpassed Klose during Argentina's and France's respective campaigns at the 2026 World Cup.
What did Mbappe say about Messi before the World Cup final?
Speaking to Fox Sports after France's third-place match against England, Mbappe said: 'Leo, he scores all the time. Tomorrow he will score, for sure.' He made the prediction just hours after overtaking Messi as the all-time World Cup top scorer.
Who leads the Golden Boot race at the 2026 World Cup?
Kylian Mbappe leads the Golden Boot race heading into the final, sitting two goals clear of Lionel Messi. Mbappe scored 10 goals in eight matches at the 2026 tournament, the highest tally of any player at this edition.
