Mbappé overtakes Messi as World Cup’s all-time leading scorer after brace against England. Having 22 career goals, compared to Lionel Messi’s 21.
Kylian Mbappé became the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer after netting twice in France’s dramatic 6-4 defeat to England in Saturday’s third-place playoff in Miami Gardens, Florida.
France endured a disastrous first half, falling 4-0 behind before Mbappé sparked a spirited comeback with a first-time finish three minutes into the second half. Bradley Barcola then reduced the deficit before the France captain struck again in the 66th minute, moving past Lionel Messi on the tournament’s all-time scoring chart with 22 career World Cup goals.
Les Bleus’ added a fourth goal late on, but Bukayo Saka’s hat trick and Jude Bellingham’s strike ensured England claimed third place in a thrilling 10-goal encounter.
Despite reaching the historic milestone, Mbappé admitted he would have traded the record for a place in the World Cup final.
“I would have preferred not to be the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history and instead be able to play in the World Cup final”, he told Fox Sports.
Messi, who entered the tournament as the all-time leading scorer after overtaking Miroslav Klose, will have the opportunity to reclaim the record when he captains Argentina against Spain in the World Cup final.
Mbappé’s brace also strengthened his lead in the Golden Boot race. The Real Madrid forward now has 10 goals at the 2026 tournament, two more than Messi, who has scored eight heading into the final.
The 27-year-old first announced himself on the World Cup stage in 2018, helping France lift the trophy before scoring a hat trick in the 2022 final. Although France fell short of another final this year, Mbappé added another remarkable milestone to his growing international legacy.
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
