Kylian Mbappé added another milestone to his remarkable international career on Sunday, winning the adidas Golden Boot as the top scorer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He also became the first player in the FIFA World Cup tournament history to claim the award twice.
The France and Real Madrid striker finished the competition with 10 goals, comfortably ahead of Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who ended the tournament with eight after being held scoreless in his side’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Mbappé secured the Golden Boot during Saturday’s third-place playoff, scoring twice in France’s thrilling 6-4 loss to England. The brace not only gave him an unquestionable lead in the scoring race but also saw him surpass Messi as the FIFA World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer.
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The 27-year-old also became the first player since Germany legend Gerd Müller to score at least 10 goals in a single World Cup. Only Just Fontaine of France and Hungary’s Sándor Kocsis had previously reached double figures in a single tournament.
Mbappé’s latest achievement comes four years after he claimed the Golden Boot at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar with eight goals, making him the first player to win the award in consecutive tournaments. He is also the first player in World Cup history to score at least eight goals in back-to-back editions of the competition.
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His 10-goal campaign included two goals against Senegal in France’s opening match, another against Iraq, a pair against England in the third-place playoff, and strikes against Sweden, Paraguay and Morocco as Les Bleus reached the semifinals.
Mbappé finished ahead of Messi (eight goals), Norway’s Erling Haaland (seven), England teammates Jude Bellingham (seven) and Harry Kane (six), and France forward Ousmane Dembélé (six).
Although France fell short of reaching the final, Mbappé’s record-breaking tournament ensured he leaves with one of football’s most prestigious individual honors once again.