The battle to become the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history has taken center stage at the 2026 tournament, with football icons Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé separated by just a single goal.
Messi, appearing in what is widely expected to be his sixth and final World Cup, surpassed Miroslav Klose’s long-standing record during the tournament. The Argentine captain has scored eight goals in the 2026 competition, taking his overall World Cup tally to 21 and moving beyond Klose’s previous record of 16.
However, Mbappé has quickly reclaimed the spotlight. The French forward has scored four goals during the current tournament, raising his career World Cup total to 22 and overtaking Messi as the competition’s all-time leading scorer.
The race has captivated football fans around the world, with both players still competing for the title and likely to add to their remarkable records before the tournament concludes.
Notes: Last updated July 18.
Source: Sports Reference
Messi has reached his tally across six World Cup appearances, while Mbappé has achieved his total in just three tournaments, highlighting the French striker’s extraordinary scoring rate on the world’s biggest stage.
The pair last met in a World Cup final in Qatar in 2022, when Argentina defeated France in one of the most memorable finals in the tournament’s history. Although Argentina lifted the trophy, Mbappé produced a historic hat-trick, becoming only the second player ever to score three goals in a World Cup final.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, Messi has also won a record eight Ballon d’Or awards during his illustrious career.
Mbappé, meanwhile, added another milestone earlier in the tournament by becoming France’s all-time leading goalscorer. He surpassed Olivier Giroud’s previous national team record after scoring twice in France’s victory over Senegal.
Statistics also underline the remarkable consistency of both forwards. Across 33 World Cup appearances, Messi has averaged roughly two goals every three matches while also providing nine assists—more than any player in World Cup history.
Mbappé has been equally prolific, scoring 22 goals in just 22 World Cup appearances while also contributing five assists. He additionally holds the record for the most goals scored in World Cup finals, having found the net four times across championship matches.
As the tournament reaches its climax, the battle between Messi and Mbappé has become one of the defining storylines of the 2026 World Cup. With both players still chasing another global title, the record for the most World Cup goals could yet change hands again before the final whistle of the competition.
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