France captain Kylian Mbappé has become the highest goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history after finishing the 2026 tournament with 22 career goals.

The 27-year-old reached the milestone after scoring twice in France’s 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place playoff. His brace took him past Argentina legend Lionel Messi, who finished his World Cup career with 21 goals.

Mbappé ended the tournament with 10 goals, enough to win the Golden Boot for the second consecutive World Cup. He scored four goals at the 2018 World Cup, eight in Qatar in 2022, and 10 at the 2026 finals.

The striker’s World Cup journey has been remarkable. He burst onto the global stage in 2018, helping France lift the trophy. Four years later, he won the Golden Boot in Qatar after scoring eight goals, and he has successfully defended the award in 2026, becoming the first player in the modern era to win back-to-back World Cup Golden Boots.

Mbappé also holds several other World Cup scoring records, including the most knockout-stage goals and the most goals scored in a World Cup final. At just 27 years old, he is expected to extend his record at future tournaments.

Despite the individual milestone, Mbappé said he would have preferred to play in the World Cup final rather than celebrate personal achievements. His focus, he said, remains on helping France win another World Cup.

Mbappé’s latest achievement adds another chapter to an already glittering career. His pace, finishing, and ability to perform on football’s biggest stage have made him one of the greatest players of his generation.