Mbappé tops Messi for Golden Boot, all-time record
Kylian Mbappe #10 of France celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Bronze Final between France and England at Miami Stadium on July 18, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Mbappe becomes the World Cup all time top s
The race for the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot as the tournament’s top goal scorer came down to the final weekend.
With a pair of goals in the third-place game, France’s Kylian Mbappé pushed his tournament total to 10 and moved into the top slot over Lionel Messi. The Argentinian, however, still had the championship game to respond, needing two goals to tie him.
Mbappé/Messi wins Golden Boot
Messi never found the back of the net as Argentina lost the final match to Spain, 1-0, though, meaning Mbappé, who took home the Golden Boot in 2022, won the title for the second World Cup in a row.
The All-Time Leader
Mbappé’s pair of goals Saturday also gave him 22 for his career and moved the French striker past Messi as the all-time leader in goals scored. Without any goals Sunday, Messi finishes the tournament with 21 goals for his career and, at 39 years old, his chances of catching Mbappé appear fleeting.
Big picture view:
Despite the individual titles, soccer is still a team sport, either player will likely say that they would give up all those goals in this tournament if it meant hoisting the World Cup this year.