Key Takeaways
- Kylian Mbappe of France has surpassed Lionel Messi in the all-time goalscoring list at the FIFA World Cup.
- Mbappe scored twice against England, bringing his total to 22 goals.
- The achievement comes as Mbappe leads the Golden Boot standings with 10 goals.
In a historic moment for French football, Kylian Mbappe has become the all-time top scorer at the FIFA World Cup. The 27-year-old forward achieved this milestone during France's third-place playoff match against England on Saturday, netting two goals to surpass Lionel Messi’s previous record of 21 goals.
Mbappe's performance in the tournament was nothing short of exceptional. He finished his third World Cup campaign with a total of 10 goals, securing the Golden Boot as well. His achievements include four goals in 2018 and eight more in 2022, leading France to consecutive finals, where they defeated Croatia and lost to Argentina.
The feat is particularly significant given that Messi is set to play in Sunday's final against Spain, making this likely his last World Cup appearance. Mbappe, on the other hand, will probably continue playing in future tournaments, potentially extending his lead in the all-time goalscoring list.
In a post-match interview, Mbappe expressed his thoughts on the achievement: 'Messi is going to score (on Sunday), that’s for sure. I’m just trying to help my team win. When you score a lot of goals at the World Cup, it puts you in a certain category,' he said. 'I would have preferred not to be the all-time top scorer and to be playing tomorrow's match. It’s good in terms of legacy, but today it’s not the first thing on my mind.'
The new record highlights Mbappe's consistent performance at major tournaments. His 22 goals across 22 appearances place him firmly among the elite players in World Cup history. With his continued involvement in international football, Mbappe is expected to further cement his position as one of the greatest goal-scorers in the tournament’s history.
The achievement also underscores the competitive nature of the World Cup and the high standards set by previous legends such as Miroslav Klose (16 goals), Ronaldo (15 goals), and Gerd Müller (14 goals). Mbappe's journey to this milestone is a testament to his skill, determination, and consistency on the international stage.
As the World Cup draws to its conclusion with Sunday’s final, fans will be eagerly watching for any potential records that might be broken. For now, however, the focus remains on the current players who are still in contention for individual accolades.
Messi is going to score (on Sunday), that’s for sure. I’m just trying to help my team win.
Kylian Mbappe, France striker
