Kylian Mbappé Becomes All-Time World Cup Top Scorer with 22 Goals
Kylian Mbappé set a new World Cup scoring record with 22 goals, including 10 in the 2026 tournament, surpassing Lionel Messi's record.
- • Mbappé became the all-time leading World Cup scorer with 22 goals.
- • He scored 10 goals in the 2026 World Cup, a milestone last achieved in 1970.
- • Mbappé scored two goals in the third-place match against England, despite France losing 6-4.
- • If Messi does not score three goals in the final, Mbappé will be the tournament's top scorer for the second consecutive World Cup.
Key details
Kylian Mbappé made history on July 18, 2026, by becoming the highest goal scorer in World Cup history with a total of 22 goals. In the third-place playoff between France and England, despite France's 6-4 loss, Mbappé scored twice, allowing him to surpass Lionel Messi's previous record of 21 goals. Both goals came after France found themselves trailing 4-0 at halftime, with Mbappé scoring just three minutes into the second half and again at the 21-minute mark.
Mbappé’s impressive performance in the 2026 tournament included scoring 10 goals, making him the fourth player ever to reach double digits in a single World Cup — a feat unseen since Gerd Müller in 1970. His 10-goal tally during this World Cup ties him with legendary scorers such as Just Fontaine and Sándor Kocsis in terms of single-tournament goals.
Furthermore, Mbappé is poised to become the first player to win the Golden Boot in two different World Cups. If Lionel Messi does not score three goals in the final between Argentina and Spain, Mbappé will secure the top scorer title for the second consecutive tournament, having scored eight goals in Qatar 2022 previously.
This landmark achievement adds another chapter to Mbappé’s storied career, solidifying his status among football legends on the world stage.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
