Mbappé Becomes FIFA World Cup’s All-Time Leading Scorer With 22 Goals

Kylian Mbappé has cemented his place among football’s all-time greats after becoming the highest-scoring player in FIFA World Cup history, surpassing Lionel Messi with a career tally of 22 World Cup goals. The French forward reached the milestone during France’s dramatic 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place playoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami.

Mbappé entered the match level with Messi’s long-standing record before producing a second-half brace. His first goal came just three minutes after halftime, while his second, a clinical left-footed finish in the 66th minute, took his World Cup total to 22 goals, moving him one clear of the Argentine legend.

Although France ultimately fell short, Mbappé’s individual achievement overshadowed the result. The 27-year-old also increased his tally to 10 goals at the 2026 tournament, putting him in pole position to win the Golden Boot for the second consecutive World Cup. He now leads Messi by two goals in the race for the tournament’s top scorer, though the Argentine still has an opportunity to respond in the World Cup final against Spain.

Mbappé’s remarkable World Cup scoring record has been built over three tournaments. He announced himself on the global stage in Russia in 2018, helping France lift the trophy with four goals. He followed that with eight goals in Qatar in 2022, earning the Golden Boot despite France’s penalty shootout defeat to Argentina in the final. His outstanding 10-goal haul at the 2026 tournament has now propelled him to the top of the all-time scoring chart.

Despite breaking one of football’s most prestigious records, Mbappé struck a humble tone after the match. He admitted that while the milestone was special, he would have preferred to be preparing for the World Cup final rather than playing for third place. The Real Madrid forward emphasized that team success remains more important than personal accolades.

The record adds another chapter to the long-running rivalry between Mbappé and Messi. The two stars famously faced each other in the 2022 World Cup final, where Messi inspired Argentina to victory after an unforgettable contest. Four years later, Mbappé has claimed another major individual milestone, strengthening his case as one of the greatest World Cup players of all time.

Football analysts believe Mbappé’s achievement could stand for many years. Still in his prime, he has already surpassed legends such as Messi, Miroslav Klose, Ronaldo Nazário, and Pelé in World Cup goals, and could extend the record further if he competes at future tournaments.

While France leaves the 2026 World Cup without a medal, Mbappé departs having rewritten football history. His record-breaking performance underscores his extraordinary consistency on the biggest stage and reinforces his status as one of the defining players of his generation.