Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterKylian Mbappe is on track to becoming the World Cup's greatest ever player, having made it to two successful finals with France at the tournament.The Frenchman has bagged four World Cup final goals, the most of any player ever, and won the 2022 edition's Golden Boot.During Argentina vs Austria, Lionel Messi became the tournament's highest goalscorer of all time, but how close is Mbappe to him?Play our free match predictor and win �1kHow many World Cup goals does Kylian Mbappe need to overtake Lionel Messi?If the Frenchman is indeed to go down as the greatest World Cup player ever, his rivalry with Messi is an integral part of the story.Mbappe delivered perhaps the greatest performance from a player on the losing side against Argentina in 2022, but, four years prior, he was the standout for France in their 4-3 victory over Messi's side en-route to their 2018 victory. You may like How to watch Lionel Messi at the 2026 FIFA World Cup All-time World Cup top scorers How to watch Kylian Mbappe at the 2026 FIFA World Cup With Messi's brace vs Austria, two glorious, but typical, strikes slotted into the net, he bagged his 17th and 18th World Cup goals.That number took him above the previous record holder, Germany's Miroslav Klose, who hit 16 for his national side.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Prior to Klose, the record was held by Ronaldo Nazario with 15, standing from 2006 to 2014.Before that, Gerd Muller held the record with 14 for almost three decades, but Messi's current record could last for just three games.Mbappe has 14 goals for France at the tournament, and recently bagged a brace vs Senegal to put him tied fourth in the all-time table. What to read next Which records will Lionel Messi break at World Cup 2026? World Cup day six highlights: Lionel Messi nets hat-trick for Argentina as Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland both score twice Lionel Messis penalty record after he misses for Argentina vs Austria Mbappe is the only active player in the Top 10 World Cup goalscorers of all time, except for England's Harry Kane with 10 strikes in tenth.The Frenchman will take on Iraq, who conceded four to Norway, in tonight's Group I game, before taking on the Erling Haaland-led national side on Friday.Beyond the all-time scoring race, Messi has taken a three goal lead over the Frenchman in the hunt for the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot.If Mbappe can replicate his brace against Senegal in those two games, and hope for an already qualified Argentina to slow down and perhaps rest Messi, then the Frenchman could be in business.TOPICSKylian MbappeLionel MessiFranceArgentinaWorld Cup 2026Kedar BayleySocial Links NavigationFreelance WriterKedar Bayley is a trained journalist specialising in culture reporting. As a fan of Liverpool FC,he writes on the Reds often. Knowledgable about all things sports, cinema and television,you can find his words in Screen International, FourFourTwo, Manchester Evening News and more.
