Kylian Mbappe has moved above Lionel Messi to become the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history.
The France captain finished the 2026 tournament with 22 career World Cup goals after scoring twice during France’s 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place playoff.
Mbappe scored 10 goals in eight matches at the tournament. His performance earned him the 2026 Golden Boot, four years after he won the same award with eight goals at the 2022 World Cup.
The Real Madrid forward has now scored 22 goals in only 22 World Cup appearances. He recorded four goals in 2018, eight in 2022 and another 10 in 2026.
Mbappe Moves Ahead of Messi
Lionel Messi briefly held the scoring record during Argentina’s run to the 2026 final.
However, the Argentine captain failed to score as Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win the tournament. Messi therefore ended his sixth World Cup with 21 goals from 34 appearances.
Mbappe’s record is even more remarkable because he has averaged exactly one goal per World Cup match.
At 27, the French forward could also extend the record if he represents France at the 2030 tournament.
Former Germany striker Miroslav Klose now occupies third place with 16 goals. Klose had held the record since overtaking Brazil legend Ronaldo at the 2014 World Cup.
Ronaldo remains fourth with 15 goals, while England captain Harry Kane shares fifth place with Germany legend Gerd Muller on 14 goals.
World Cup All-Time Leading Scorers
The following players have scored at least 10 goals in the men’s FIFA World Cup:
22 goals
Kylian Mbappe, France, 22 matches
21 goals
Lionel Messi, Argentina, 34 matches
16 goals
Miroslav Klose, Germany, 24 matches
15 goals
Ronaldo, Brazil, 19 matches
14 goals
Gerd Muller, West Germany, 13 matches
Harry Kane, England, 18 matches
13 goals
Just Fontaine, France, six matches
12 goals
Pele, Brazil, 14 matches
11 goals
Sandor Kocsis, Hungary, five matches
Jurgen Klinsmann, Germany, 17 matches
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal, 27 matches
10 goals
Helmut Rahn, West Germany, 10 matches
Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina, 12 matches
Gary Lineker, England, 12 matches
Teofilo Cubillas, Peru, 13 matches
Thomas Muller, Germany, 19 matches
Grzegorz Lato, Poland, 20 matches
