NEW JERSEY: France superstar Kylian Mbappe has etched his name into football history by becoming the first player ever to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot twice, finishing as the top scorer of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with an outstanding 10 goals in eight matches.
The Real Madrid forward successfully defended the Golden Boot he first won at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, making him the only footballer to secure the tournament’s top scorer award in back-to-back editions.
Mbappe Beats Lionel Messi in Golden Boot Race
Mbappe edged out Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who finished the tournament with eight goals in eight appearances. Messi had a chance to overtake the French striker in the World Cup final but failed to score as Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time to lift the trophy.
Mbappe strengthened his lead by scoring twice in France’s dramatic 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place playoff, ensuring he remained comfortably ahead in the scoring charts.
Record-Breaking World Cup Achievement
With 10 goals in the 2026 tournament, Mbappe became the first player to score double-digit goals in a single World Cup since Germany legend Gerd Muller netted 10 goals in 1970.
Only two players have scored more goals in a single World Cup tournament:
- France’s Just Fontaine – 13 goals (1958)
- Hungary’s Sandor Kocsis – 11 goals (1954)
The latest milestone also saw Mbappe become the all-time leading men’s FIFA World Cup scorer, taking his career tally to 22 goals, one ahead of Lionel Messi.
Golden Boot Journey
Mbappe’s remarkable goal haul included:
- Two goals against Senegal
- Two goals against Iraq
- One goal against Sweden
- A winning penalty versus Paraguay in the Round of 16
- One goal against Morocco in the quarter-finals
- Two goals against England in the third-place playoff
His consistent performances once again highlighted why he is regarded as one of world football’s greatest attacking talents.
Mbappe: Team Success Matters More
Despite his personal achievement, Mbappe admitted he would have preferred helping France reach the final instead of winning another Golden Boot.
“When you score that many goals in the World Cup, it certainly takes you to a whole new level,” Mbappe said.
“But I would have preferred not to be the top scorer and to have played in the final. It’s good for my legacy once I’ve retired, but right now, that’s not what’s on my mind.”
Spain Dominates Tournament Awards
While Mbappe claimed the Golden Boot, newly crowned world champions Spain collected the tournament’s major individual honors.
Spain captain Rodri was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament after leading his country to its second FIFA World Cup title with a series of commanding performances.
Mbappe’s historic scoring record, however, remains one of the defining stories of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, further cementing his legacy among football’s all-time greats.
