World Cup All-Time Top Scorers: Mbappé Moves Ahead of Messi
- Kylian Mbappé scored twice as France defeated Senegal and moved into the top three of the World Cup’s all-time goals chart
- The France captain surpassed Lionel Messi and Just Fontaine while matching Gerd Müller’s record of 14 tournament goals
- Mbappé’s latest milestone leaves him chasing Ronaldo Nazario and Miroslav Klose’s historic World Cup scoring records
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Kylian Mbappé moved into joint third place on the men’s all-time FIFA World Cup scoring chart as France began their 2026 campaign with a 3-1 victory over Senegal at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Tuesday, June 16.
The French captain scored twice in the second half to take his overall World Cup tally to 14 goals, drawing level with Germany legend Gerd Müller and moving ahead of Lionel Messi and Just Fontaine, who both have 13 goals.
Source: Getty Images
Mbappe overtakes Messi in World Cup goals
According to BBC Sport, only Brazil icon Ronaldo, with 15 goals, and Germany’s Miroslav Klose, with 16, stand above Mbappé on the all-time World Cup scoring list.
The brace also saw the Real Madrid forward reach 58 international goals, surpassing Olivier Giroud to become France’s outright leading goal-scorer.
The historic night came after a difficult opening period for Les Bleus, who struggled to impose themselves against Senegal before Mbappé changed the game.
The Teranga Lions were the stronger in the first half, with Nicolas Jackson hitting the post and Ismaïla Sarr missing an opportunity as France failed to find their rhythm.
Les Bleus returned after the break with more urgency and finally opened the scoring in the 66th minute.
Michael Olise delivered a precise pass into the box, allowing Mbappé to produce a first-time finish past Édouard Mendy.
The goal moved him level with Messi and Fontaine on 13 World Cup strikes.
Watch Mbappé's first goal for France against Senegal, as shared on X:
Senegal pushed for a response, but France appeared to secure victory when Bradley Barcola doubled their lead in the 82nd minute.
However, Senegalese teenager Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back deep into stoppage time to create late tension, yet any hopes of a comeback quickly disappeared.
Moments later, Mbappé received another pass from Olise around 30 yards from goal, turned away from his marker and unleashed a powerful strike into the net.
The goal sealed the win and moved him level with Müller in third place.
Breakdown of Mbappé’s World Cup goals
The achievement is even more impressive considering Mbappé’s efficiency.
The 27-year-old has scored 14 World Cup goals in just 15 appearances across three tournaments, while Messi needed 26 matches to reach 13 goals.
Mbappé, who expressed his willingness to adjust his game, has already created a remarkable World Cup legacy.
According to Sofascore, he scored four goals as France won the 2018 tournament and claimed the Best Young Player award at just 19 years old.
He also became only the second teenager after Pelé to score in a World Cup final after finding the net against Croatia.
Source: Getty Images
In Qatar 2022, Mbappé won the Golden Boot after scoring eight goals, including a hat-trick in the final against Argentina.
He became only the second player, after England’s Geoff Hurst in 1966, to score three goals in a World Cup final.
The Real Madrid forward's brace against Senegal means Mbappé has now scored five goals in his last two World Cup appearances.
With France still to face Norway and Iraq in Group I, he has the opportunity to continue climbing the historic rankings.
The forward is now just two goals away from matching Klose’s record and will believe he can become the greatest World Cup goal-scorer of all time.
FIFA World Cup All-Time Top Scorers
Rank | Player | National Team | Goals | Matches |
1 | Miroslav Klose | Germany | 16 | 24 |
2 | Ronaldo | Brazil | 15 | 19 |
3 (tied) | Kylian Mbappé | France | 14 | 15 |
3 (tied) | Gerd Müller | West Germany | 14 | 13 |
4 (tied) | Just Fontaine | France | 13 | 6 |
4 (tied) | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 13 | 26 |
5 | Pelé | Brazil | 12 | 14 |
6 (tied) | Sándor Kocsis | Hungary | 11 | 5 |
*Data correct as of June 16, 2026
Supercomputer tips Spain, not France as favourites
YEN.com.gh also reported that Opta's supercomputer had disclosed its early forecasts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The data-backed predictions placed Spain as the leading favourites to lift football's most coveted prize this edition.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
