In the latest World Cup third‑place playoff, France edged past England with a 2‑1 victory, and Kylian Mbappe was the decisive factor, netting two goals that swung the match in his side’s favour.
Those strikes were more than just match‑winners; they marked a pivotal moment in Mbappe’s personal tally, pushing his career World Cup goal count to 22.
The tally now places him ahead of Lionel Messi, whose 21 goals have long been regarded as a benchmark in the tournament’s history.
Where Mbappe Stands Among the Legends
Behind him, the all‑time list is dominated by a mix of eras: Miroslav Klose sits third with 16 goals, while Ronaldo follows with 15, and Gerd Müller and Harry Kane share fifth place with 14 each.
The record books also honour trailblazers such as Just Fontaine, who scored 13 goals in a single tournament, and Pelé, with 12, alongside a cluster of greats — Sandor Kocsis, Jürgen Klinsmann, and Cristiano Ronaldo — each with 11.
Mbappe’s ascent reflects not only his individual brilliance but also the evolving dynamics of modern football, where young stars can rewrite history at an unprecedented pace.
As the tournament continues to capture global imagination, the next chapters will likely see further shifts in the scoring hierarchy, with Mbappe poised to add many more chapters to his own legend.