Kylian Mbappe pacing Lionel Messi with rapid goal-scoring rate

France's Kylian Mbappe. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters

Kylian Mbappe is telling Lionel Messi to hold his drink with rapid goal-scoring pace at 2026 FIFA World Cup

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jun 30, 2026 8:58 PM ET

Argentina forward Lionel Messi owns the record for goals (19) at the FIFA World Cup. His record's not going to stand for long if someone doesn't stop French forward Kylian Mbappe.

Kylian Mbappe is on a heater at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Mbappe, 27, scored two goals (45th and 74th minute) in a 3-0 win over Sweden in a Round of 32 match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Tuesday. That brings his World Cup goal total to 18. He has netted six of them in the 2026 World Cup.

Messi, 39, had scored just four World Cup goals when he was the same age as Mbappe. Granted, he wasn't on a squad that was nearly as stacked as the French side.

In three of Argentina's first four World Cups with Messi on the roster, it failed to advance past the quarterfinals. The Messi-led squad finally won the tournament in 2022, beating France on penalties in the final.

MBAPPÉ BRACE FOR HIS 6TH GOAL OF THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP

18 goals in the tournament all-time for the French superstar! pic.twitter.com/2oc0S4Yc19
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 30, 2026

That loss stung for the Blues, but they can take solace in the fact that they won the tournament in 2018. The country could recapture the title if Mbappe continues dominating in his third World Cup.

Kylian Mbappé going toe-to-toe with Lionel Messi on World Cup goals pic.twitter.com/0IluGBiWlz
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) June 30, 2026

As of Tuesday night, he and Messi are tied for most goals scored at the World Cup. The winner will receive the Golden Boot, awarded to the player who scores the most goals in the tournament. The Argentine star can extend his lead in that race in his match against Cape Verde on Friday (Fox/Telemundo, 6 p.m. ET).

Messi may win the Golden Boot, and he may lead Argentina to a second straight World Cup title. But he's probably not going to hold his record for much longer.

Mbappe breaking it almost feels inevitable. He may even top it this year. Even if he doesn't, he may do so at another World Cup. Much more goal-scoring is in his future.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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