France’s Kylian Mbappe ends the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 10 goals, two ahead of Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the competition for the Golden Boot

France didn’t get the win but Kylian Mbappe got the record on Saturday, July 18 (Sunday, July 19, Manila time). For now.

The French star became the all-time leading goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 22 after two goals in his club’s third-place match against England in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Despite Mbappe’s efforts, France lost 6-4 as its attempted comeback from a 4-0 halftime deficit fell short.

Mbappe scored goals in the 48th and 66th minutes to move one ahead of Argentina great Lionel Messi.

“I’m just trying to help my team score every time,” Mbappe said after the match. “It’s for sure that when you score that many goals in the World Cup, it elevates you to certain levels but I would have liked to not be the top scorer in history and play tomorrow’s (championship) match.”

“So, I think it’s good for legacy and when we stop (playing) to say that I was one of those players. But today, it’s not the first thing crossing my mind.”

Mbappe also has 10 goals in this World Cup, two ahead of Messi in the competition for the Golden Boot. Messi’s squad meets Spain in the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday, meaning the Argentine star has a chance to surpass both marks Mbappe set.

Mbappe is the first player with 10 goals in a World Cup since West Germany’s Gerd Muller in 1970. – Rappler.com