Kylian Mbappé’s other battle, the World Cup scoring crown | OneFootball

After France’s 1-0 last-16 win over Paraguay, Kylian Mbappé moved to 19 World Cup goals, one behind Lionel Messi’s 20, while maintaining the chase is secondary to Les Bleus’ title push.

He skipped the main press duties, spoke briefly on M6, then rejoined the squad in Boston, according to L'Équipe.

He has repeatedly said the collective comes first and any record would follow if France meet their targets. After the 3-0 win over Sweden he corrected a questioner’s tally to 18.

Messi is on 20, both have seven in 2026. Messi is in his sixth World Cup, Mbappé his third.

He is unlikely to play six tournaments, yet could settle it earlier. At 27 he has at least six more World Cup goals than any other player at the same age.

Can he chase Just Fontaine’s 13 in one edition? Fontaine did it in six in 1958. Mbappé, Messi or Erling Haaland, on seven after Norway’s 2-1 win over Brazil, look the main contenders, while Harry Kane on six and Mikel Oyarzabal and Ousmane Dembélé on four look too far back.

Mbappé averages 1.4 goals per 90 across 441 minutes, behind Fontaine’s 2.0. He would need at least six more across France’s final three matches in the United States to match it. The 19 July final in New York is his constant target, a third in as many editions, and the record should then be within reach.

Source: L'Équipe