Kylian Mbappé overtakes Lionel Messi atop 2026 World Cup scoring before final | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappé scored twice as France lost 4-6 to England in Saturday's third-place play-off, taking his 2026 World Cup tally to 10 and moving two clear of Lionel Messi.

After scoring four in 2018 and eight in 2022, he has improved again in 2026, and his haul makes him the World Cup's all-time leading scorer with 22. Messi faces Spain in Sunday's final at 21:00. According to L'Équipe, any late swing in the top scorer award would be decided by tie-breakers.

If Messi scores a brace in the final, several criteria would be used to separate the pair. First is assists, and Mbappé recorded his fourth of the tournament on Saturday by setting up Bradley Barcola, bringing him level with Messi.

Next comes time on the pitch. Messi has 620 minutes, having not started against Jordan in the 3-1 win and playing two extra-time periods, while Mbappé has 698.

If they are still tied after those measures, the top scorer award would be shared.

Source: L'Équipe