Kylian Mbappe snubs Lionel Messi record talk with one clear World Cup goal: 'Leo is going to score more'

Mbappe also played down comparisons with Messi, saying he expects the Argentina captain to add to his tally and insisted he is focused only on France's journey.

Updated on: Jul 1, 2026, 12:30:17 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Kylian Mbappe has reignited his battle with Lionel Messi in the race for the World Cup Golden Boot after scoring twice against Sweden. The France captain now has six goals in four matches, drawing level with Messi, who has scored six in three appearances for Argentina. The two superstars are once again setting the standard on football's biggest stage, renewing a rivalry that captivated fans in the 2022 World Cup final. While Messi guided Argentina to the title that night, Mbappe finished as the tournament's top scorer. His latest brace also lifted his overall World Cup tally to 18 goals, taking him past Miroslav Klose's 16 and leaving him just one behind Messi's 19. With the knockout rounds underway, both players remain firmly in contention for another Golden Boot.

Kylian Mbappe has scored six goals in this World Cup so far. (Getty Images via AFP)

While his latest brace saw him climb the World Cup scoring charts, Mbappe made it clear that France's pursuit of another title remains his only priority.

"I think the goal, as I said, is to go as far as possible - to make it to (the final on) July 19th and come back here," Mbappe, who scored his 18 goals in 18 games, told reporters.

"We’re trying to win; we’re taking it one step at a time. Of course, the more goals you score, the higher you climb in the rankings - I’m not telling anyone anything new there."

Also Read - Kylian Mbappe is no longer chasing greatness; he's defining it at the World CupMbappe also played down comparisons with Messi, saying he expects the Argentina captain to add to his tally and insisted he is focused only on France's journey in the tournament.

"But I’m also convinced that Leo is going to score more goals, so I don’t focus too much on that. I’m more focused on the opponents we might face and how close we’re getting to our goal: the final," he added.

Mbappe sees room for improvement

Looking ahead to France's Round of 16 clash against Paraguay, Mbappe said the team still has areas to improve despite an impressive start to the tournament.

"I think we’ll keep working between now and the Paraguay match to see what we can improve, because there are still some sequences that aren't quite clear enough, there’s room for improvement. Still, I think it’s positive overall, and our ability to score goals means we always have the chance to take the lead in matches," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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