France’s Kylian Mbappe ends the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 10 goals, two ahead of Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the race for the golden boot.
France did not get the win but Kylian Mbappe got the record on Saturday, July 18 (Sunday, July 19, Manila time). For now.
The France star has become the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 22 goals after two goals in his club’s third-place finish against England in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Despite Mbappe’s efforts, France lost 6-4 as their bid to come back from a 4-0 half-time deficit fell short.
Mbappe scored goals in the 48th and 66th minutes to move ahead of Argentine star Lionel Messi.
“I just try to help my team score every time,” Mbappe said after the match. “It is certain that when you score a lot of goals in the World Cup, it raises you to certain levels but I would like not to be the best scorer in history and to play tomorrow’s (championship) match.
“So, I think it’s good for the legacy and when we stop (playing) to say that I was one of those players. But today, it’s not the first thing that comes to my mind.”
Mbappe also has 10 goals in this World Cup, two ahead of Messi in the race for the golden boot. Messi’s side face Spain in the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday, meaning the Argentine star has a chance to surpass Mbappe’s record.
Mbappe is the first player to score 10 goals at the World Cup since West Germany’s Gerd Muller in 1970. – Rappler.com
