Kylian Mbappé Surpasses Lionel Messi to Become FIFA World Cup's All-Time Leading Goalscorer

Mbappé Overtakes Messi to Become FIFA World Cup's All-Time Leading Goalscorer

By ZongoPlus Sports Desk | July 19, 2026

France captain Kylian Mbappé has once again rewritten football history, overtaking Lionel Messi to become the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history.

The 27-year-old reached the landmark by scoring twice in France's dramatic 6-4 defeat to England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place playoff. His brace took his career World Cup tally to 22 goals, moving him ahead of Messi's 21.

History Made in Miami

Mbappé entered the third-place match level with Messi's remarkable scoring record but needed just two goals to claim the record outright.

Although France ultimately fell to England in a thrilling 10-goal encounter, Mbappé's individual achievement ensured his name entered the World Cup record books.

The New World Cup Goals King

Mbappé's record has been built across three World Cup tournaments:

2018 FIFA World Cup: 4 goals

2022 FIFA World Cup: 8 goals

2026 FIFA World Cup: 10 goals

His total of 22 World Cup goals is now the highest ever recorded in the tournament's history.

Golden Boot Favourite

Mbappé's two goals also strengthened his lead in the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot.

He finished the third-place match with 10 goals in the tournament, placing him ahead of Lionel Messi before Argentina's World Cup final against Spain. Messi still has one final opportunity to add to his tally in Sunday's showpiece.

Messi Still Has One Last Chance

While Mbappé now holds the all-time scoring record, Messi could still reduce—or even erase—the gap depending on his performance in the World Cup final.

Argentina's captain is set to make what is widely expected to be his final World Cup appearance, with the chance to defend Argentina's title and potentially reclaim the all-time scoring record if he scores enough goals in the final.

Individual Glory, Team Disappointment

Despite his record-breaking performance, Mbappé admitted that the achievement was overshadowed by France's failure to reach the World Cup final.

The French star said that while personal milestones are special, winning major trophies with his country remains his biggest priority.

A Rivalry for the Ages

The rivalry between Mbappé and Messi has defined modern World Cup football.

After facing each other in the memorable 2022 World Cup final, both players continued to push the boundaries of the competition in 2026, exchanging records throughout the tournament. Mbappé now sits alone at the top of the all-time World Cup scoring chart, adding another chapter to one of football's greatest rivalries.