Lionel Messi has already made history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but Kylian Mbappé is on his heels.
The France star has already broken the federation’s record for the most international goals scored, and he’s within striking distance of Messi’s ever-increasing record for the most goals scored ever at the World Cup.
Will Mbappé catch Messi before the World Cup is over? Follow along as we track Mbappé’s road to potentially catching up to Messi:
France vs. Iraq
Mbappé moved into a tie for the third-most goals scored by a men’s player at the FIFA World Cup with his goal in the 14th minute of France’s match against Iraq. He made a strong, left-footed shot from outside the box for his 15th career goal at the World Cup. It was also his 59th goal for France, extending his record for the most goals scored by a French level in international play. The match against Iraq marked Mbappé’s 100th career appearance for France.
France vs. Senegal
Mbappé became France’s all-time leading goalscorer with his second goal of the tournament and his 58th for France. Olivier Giroud, who retired from France’s national team following Euro 2024, was previously France’s all-time leading goalscorer, scoring his 57th goal in March 2024 at the age of 37.
Mbappé also eclipsed France legend Just Fontaine and Lionel Messi to Gerd Müller for the third-most goals in World Cup history with 14.
France World Cup Schedule
Sitting tied for fourth place in all-time World Cup goals, Mbappé is chasing some legitimate legends. At the top of the heap is Argentina’s Lionel Messi, whose memorable hat trick tied him with Germany legend Miroslav Klose.
Messi, who won the World Cup in 2022, is in his sixth tournament appearance, while Klose helped Germany win it in 2014 with his fourth and final appearance at the tournament.
Lionel Messi is tied for the most goals at a men’s World Cup.
T1. Miroslav Klose (Germany) — 16 goals
T1. Lionel Messi (Argentina) — 16 goals
3. Ronaldo (Brazil) — 15 goals
T4. Gerd Müller (Germany) — 14 goals
T4. Kylian Mbappé (France) — 14 goals
5. Just Fontaine (France) — 13 goals
6. Pelé (Brazil) — 12 goals
(Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
At the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Mbappé broke onto the international scene, scoring four goals as a 19-year-old and playing a key role in France’s championship run. During that campaign, he became only the second teenager to score in a World Cup final when he found the net in France’s 4-2 victory over Croatia in 2018.
