Kylian Mbappé made history at the World Cup by becoming the tournament's all-time leading goalscorer with 22 goals after his brace in France's third-place playoff against England. The French superstar surpassed Lionel Messi's previous record of 21 goals, cementing his legacy as one of football's greatest tournament performers.
Les Bleus didn't get the win against England in the World Cup 2026 third-place playoff on Saturday but Kylian Mbappé got a precious record. For now.
The French star became the all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup history with 22 after his second goal of his club's third-place match against England in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Despite Mbappe's efforts, France lost 6-4 as their attempted comeback from a 4-0 halftime deficit fell short.
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Mbappé 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.
Another record
"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 Sunday's final in East Rutherford, N.J., meaning the Argentine star has a chance to surpass both marks Mbappe set.
Read moreWorld Cup 2026: France escape humiliation but fall to England in Deschamps' final match
Mbappe is the first player with 10 goals in a World Cup since West Germany's Gerd Muller in 1970.
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)
