Key Takeaways
- Kylian Mbappe scored twice in France’s 6-4 loss to England, surpassing Lionel Messi’s record.
- The 27-year-old forward finished his third World Cup campaign with 10 goals, leading the Golden Boot standings.
- Mbappe will likely play in at least one more global tournament.
French striker Kylian Mbappe has cemented his place as the all-time top scorer in FIFA World Cup history after netting twice against England in Saturday’s third-place playoff, bringing his total to 22 goals. This achievement leapfrogs him over Lionel Messi's previous record of 21 goals.
Mbappe's latest milestone came during a match that saw France narrowly lose 6-4 to England at Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens, USA. The victory for England secured them the bronze medal, while France’s defeat meant they would not be playing in Sunday’s final against Spain.
The Real Madrid forward managed his feat in just 22 appearances across three World Cup campaigns. He scored four goals in 2018 and eight in 2022 as France reached both finals, defeating Croatia and losing to Argentina in the previous edition.
In a post-match interview, Mbappe expressed his preference for playing in the final match rather than setting such a record: '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.
Despite acknowledging the significance of his achievement, Mbappe emphasized that his primary focus was on supporting his teammates: '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.'
With Messi set to play in Sunday's final against Spain, which will almost certainly be his last World Cup game, Mbappe is expected to continue his pursuit of further records. He has already secured a place among the all-time greats and is likely to play in at least one more global tournament.
The French forward’s performance has not only solidified his status as one of the world's top strikers but also highlighted his consistency across multiple World Cup campaigns. His ability to score crucial goals under pressure continues to impress fans and pundits alike.
Messi is going to score (on Sunday), that’s for sure. I’m just trying to help my team win.
Kylian Mbappe, French striker
I would have preferred not to be the all-time top scorer and to be playing tomorrow's match.
Kylian Mbappe, French striker
