Kylian Mbappé caught up to Lionel Messi and then left him in the dust. The France star had already broken his team's record for the most international goals scored. Then, in Saturday's 2026 World Cup third-place match, he scored two goals in the span of 18 minutes in the second half, increasing his total to 10 goals at the 2026 World Cup and 22 all-time.
Will Mbappé maintain the lead over Messi before the World Cup is over? Follow along as we track Mbappé's road to potentially dethroning Messi: Mbappé At 2026 World Cup: 10 Goals France vs. England (Quarterfinals, July 18): Two goals Kylian Mbappé passed Lionel Messi in the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot race and as the all-time goalscorer in the history of the World Cup when he scored two goals in the span of 18 minutes in the second half of the 2026 World Cup third-place match on Saturday.
Mbappé increased his total to 10 goals at the 2026 World Cup, and 22 all-time. France vs. Morocco (Quarterfinals, July 9): One goal Kylian Mbappé caught up to Messi, again, when he netted his eighth total goal this tournament against Morocco in the second half.
In total, Mbappé now has 20 World Cup goals. France vs. Paraguay (Round of 16, July 4): One Goal The Golden Boot race is tied once again after Mbappé scored his seventh goal of the tournament, putting him level with Lionel Messi for the goalscoring title.
France was awarded a penalty after VAR review and Mbappé calmly converted it from the spot. France vs. Sweden (Round of 32, June 30): Two goals It was the third game at this tournament with Mbappé scoring two goals in one game.
He has now scored 10 goals in the knockout stages of the World Cup, the most of any player in history. Let's just do the numbers: And this was all before he actually was subbed off early to cap yet another amazing day. France 3-0 Iraq (Group Stage, June 22): Two goals Mbappé moved into a tie for the second-most goals scored by a men's player at the FIFA World Cup after scoring two goals against Iraq on Tuesday.
He scored his first goal of the day in the 14th minute, making a strong, left-footed shot from outside the box for his 15th career World Cup goal. Then, after a two-hour-long rain delay, Mbappé scored his 16th career World Cup goal thanks to a mistake by Iraq. The French star was able to go one-on-one with Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil after he turned the ball over in his own penalty box.
The goal moved Mbappé back to just two goals behind Lionel Messi for the most goals scored ever in the World Cup. Mbappé's second goal of the day also helped him break a tie with former Brazil star Ronaldo for the third-most goals scored by a men's player in the World Cup, while he tied former Germany star Miroslav Klose. France 3-1 Senegal (Group Stage, July 16): Two goals Mbappé became France's all-time leading goalscorer with his second goal of the tournament and his 58th for France.
Olivier Giroud, who retired from France's national team following Euro 2024, was previously France's all-time leading goalscorer, scoring his 57th goal in March 2024 at the age of 37. Mbappé also eclipsed France legend Just Fontaine and Lionel Messi to Gerd Müller for the third-most goals in World Cup history with 14. Mbappé At 2022 World Cup: 8 Goals At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Mbappé had a remarkable tournament, scoring eight goals to win the Golden Boot.
His tournament included a historic hat-trick in the final against Argentina, making him the first player to score three goals in a World Cup final since 1966. Nonetheless, Mbappé and France came up short against Argentina, losing on penalties. Mbappé At 2018 World Cup: 4 Goals At the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Mbappé broke onto the international scene, scoring four goals as a 19-year-old and playing a key role in France’s championship run.
During that campaign, he became only the second teenager to score in a World Cup final when he found the net in France's 4-2 victory over Croatia in 2018.
