Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are engaged in one of the most compelling goal-scoring races in World Cup history, with the French forward rapidly closing in on the Argentine icon's record.
Messi, Argentina's captain and talisman, remains the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 20 goals in 30 appearances. The 39-year-old reached the milestone during Argentina's campaign after adding to his tally against Algeria, Austria, Jordan and Cape Verde, extending a record that had previously belonged to Germany's Miroslav Klose.
Mbappe, however, is breathing down Messi's neck.
The France striker struck from the penalty spot in the 70th minute of Les Bleus' 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the Round of 16 on Sunday, taking his World Cup tally to 19 goals in just 19 matches. The strike was his seventh of the ongoing tournament and moved him to within a goal of Messi's all-time mark.
France had to dig deep against a determined Paraguay side that sought to frustrate the two-time world champions throughout a physically demanding encounter.
Didier Deschamps' side eventually found the breakthrough when substitute Desire Doue surged into the penalty area and won a spot-kick, which Mbappe coolly dispatched to seal France's place in the quarterfinals.
Earlier on Saturday, Messi had netted his 20th World Cup goal in Argentina's match against Cape Verde, maintaining his position at the summit of the all-time scoring charts.
Mbappe's remarkable rise is made even more impressive by the efficiency with which he has accumulated his goals. The 27-year-old has reached 19 strikes in considerably fewer matches than many of the game's greatest scorers, including Klose, Ronaldo Nazario and Pele.
With the 2026 World Cup still ongoing and the possibility of future tournaments ahead, Mbappe appears well placed to challenge, and potentially surpass, Messi's record in the years to come.
For Messi, meanwhile, this edition of the World Cup could represent the final chapter of a glittering international career. Yet regardless of whether his record endures, the Argentine has already cemented his place among football's immortals.
All-time World Cup top scorers
Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 20 goals in 30 matches
Kylian Mbappe (France) – 19 goals in 19 matches
Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 16 goals in 24 matches
Ronaldo Nazario (Brazil) – 15 goals in 19 matches
Gerd Muller (Germany) – 14 goals in 13 matches
Just Fontaine (France) – 13 goals in six matches
Pele (Brazil) – 12 goals in 14 matches
Top goalscorers at the FIFA World Cup 2026
7 goals
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Kylian Mbappe (France)
5 goals
Erling Haaland (Norway)
Harry Kane (England)
4 goals
Vinicius Junior (Brazil)
Ousmane Dembele (France)
Ismaila Sarr (Senegal)
Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain)
3 goals
Jonathan David (Canada)
Deniz Undav (Germany)
Johan Manzambi (Switzerland)
Matheus Cunha (Brazil)
Ismael Saibari (Morocco)
Brian Brobbey (Netherlands)
Elijah Just (New Zealand)
Kai Havertz (Germany)
Cody Gakpo (Netherlands)
Julian Quiñones (Mexico)
Folarin Balogun (USA)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
