The record changed hands in Miami. Kylian Mbappe scored twice in Saturday’s third-place match against England to reach 22 career World Cup goals, surpassing Lionel Messi’s 21 to become the mbappe all time world cup scorer. He is 27 years old, has played in only three World Cups, and may have two more ahead of him. The record that Messi set just days ago already belongs to someone else.
How It Happened
Mbappe entered the third-place match tied with Messi at 21 career goals after Messi added eight to his tally across the tournament’s earlier rounds. His first against England, in the 48th minute, leveled the all-time mark. His second, in the 66th minute, an Olise-assisted finish that beat Dean Henderson at his near post, broke it. The French bench erupted, and Mbappe celebrated by pointing to the sky, a quiet acknowledgment that he had just passed the man he grew up idolizing.
The All-Time Leaderboard (Updated)
| Rank | Player | Country | Goals | Tournaments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kylian Mbappe | France | 22 | 3 (2018-2026) |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 21* | 6 (2006-2026) |
| 3 | Miroslav Klose | Germany | 16 | 4 (2002-2014) |
| 4 | Ronaldo | Brazil | 15 | 4 (1998-2006) |
| 5 | Gerd Muller | Germany | 14 | 2 (1970-1974) |
*Messi plays in Sunday’s final and could reclaim the record with two goals.
The Pace Is Staggering
What makes Mbappe’s record extraordinary is how quickly he accumulated it. He needed only three World Cups and 22 matches to reach 22 goals, a rate of exactly one goal per game across his career. Messi needed six tournaments and over 30 matches to reach 21. Klose took four tournaments. Mbappe’s efficiency at the highest level of international football is without precedent, and at 27, he could realistically play in the 2030 and 2034 World Cups. If he maintains even half his current rate, a final career tally north of 30 is plausible.
Can Messi Respond Sunday?
The door is not closed. Messi takes the field in the World Cup final against Spain on Sunday at 3:00 PM ET, and two goals would retake the record at 23. It would be the most dramatic individual subplot in final history, the all-time record exchanged twice in 48 hours. But scoring twice against a Spain defense that has conceded just three goals in seven matches is the toughest task remaining in the tournament. Our full final preview is in our Spain vs Argentina breakdown.
The Golden Boot Is Mbappe’s to Lose
Mbappe finishes the tournament with 10 goals and three assists, two clear of Messi’s eight. Even if Messi scores in the final, Mbappe’s cushion and his assist tally make him the overwhelming favorite for the Golden Boot, the tournament’s top scorer award we explain in our awards guide. The presentation happens immediately after the final at MetLife Stadium. Full records at FIFA.com.
