The race to become the highest goal scorer in World Cup history has turned into a two-man competition between Argentina’s Lionel Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappé. The record, which stood for 12 years, has already changed hands and could change again before the tournament ends.
Messi entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 13 career World Cup goals and quickly moved past former German striker Miroslav Klose, who held the record with 16 goals since 2014. The Argentine captain scored five times in his first two matches, including the first World Cup hat trick of his career against Algeria.
On Monday, Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 in Arlington, Texas. Messi missed an early penalty, but later scored twice to increase his total to 18 World Cup goals. The win also secured Argentina’s place in the knockout stage.
“There were moments when I was really angry about missing the penalty, but I was able to make up for it,” Messi said after the match.
The 38-year-old has now scored all five of Argentina’s goals in this tournament. He is also the first player to appear in six different men’s World Cups and has scored in six straight World Cup matches dating back to 2022.
Mbappé remains close behind. The French forward has scored four goals in the opening two games of France’s campaign and currently sits on 16 World Cup goals. Later on Monday, he scored twice in France’s 3-0 victory over Iraq, matching Klose’s former record.
The difference between the two players is also shaped by experience. Messi is playing in his sixth World Cup, while Mbappé is appearing in only his third. Even so, the French star has been incredibly efficient. Across 17 World Cup matches, he averages nearly one goal per game. Messi has scored 18 times in 28 World Cup appearances.
The two stars have often been compared over the last several years. Their last World Cup meeting came in the 2022 final in Qatar, where Argentina lifted the trophy despite Mbappé scoring a hat trick. It was only the second hat trick ever recorded in a World Cup final.
Mbappé recently became France’s all-time leading scorer, passing Olivier Giroud with his 59th international goal in a victory over Senegal.
Even with the growing comparisons, Mbappé has shown respect for Messi. When reporters recently asked him to choose the best player among himself, Messi, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, he answered simply: “Lionel Messi. It’s clear.”
The chase for the scoring record may come down to which team stays in the tournament longer. France is considered one of the favorites to win the World Cup, with Argentina close behind, setting up the possibility that the battle between Messi and Mbappé could continue deep into the competition.
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