10-year-old Frenchman Kylian Mbappé reacts to his attempted shot during the FIFA World Cup third-place match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Florida, Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Kylian Mbappe made World Cup history when he became the first player ever to win the Golden Boot in two consecutive tournaments after claiming the title of top scorer for the 2026 edition, beating Lionel Messi in one of the closest races the competition has ever seen.The France captain finished with 10 goals in eight matches, while also providing four assists, earning him the tournament’s top scorer award. His closest rival, Argentina captain Lionel Messi, finished the World Cup with eight goals and four assists after failing to score during a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the final on Sunday after extra time.Messi went into the match knowing he needed a hat-trick to edge out Mbappe after the Frenchman scored twice in France’s thrilling 6-4 defeat by England in the third-place play-off on Saturday.
Instead, Spain’s disciplined midfield, led by Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, kept the Argentina captain quiet as La Roja lifted their second World Cup title.
Mbappe’s bronze match changed the course of the race
The Golden Boot race appeared to be headed towards the final after Messi briefly took the lead following Argentina’s semi-final win over England.Although both stars were level on eight goals at that stage, Messi’s four assists put him ahead of Mbappe, who scored three, under FIFA’s tie-break rules.
Everything changed in the third-place match.France found themselves trailing England 4-0 at the end of the first half before Mbappe sparked an unexpected comeback, scoring in the 48th and 66th minutes to take his tally in the tournament to 10 goals. These two strikes not only leapfrog Messi into the scoring charts, but also see him overtake the Argentine as the all-time top scorer at a Men’s World Cup with 22 goals in his career.
England eventually won the extraordinary match 6-4, but Mbappe’s individual exploits ensured he headed into the final day of the tournament in pole position for another Golden Boot.
Messi is unable to direct a final charge
Then all eyes turned to the World Cup final in New York, New Jersey.Argentina needed inspiration from Messi against a Spanish team that had only conceded one goal throughout the tournament, but Luis de la Fuente’s men produced one of the best defensive performances of the tournament.
Argentine Lionel Messi, 10, cries at the end of the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Rodri dominated the midfield, while Spain prevented Argentina from shooting on target during normal time. Messi struggled to influence the game and finished the match without adding a goal or assist.Spain eventually won 1-0 after extra time, ending Argentina’s reign as world champions.The result also confirmed Mbappé winning the Golden Boot, with Messi finishing second after another impressive World Cup campaign that yielded eight goals and four assists.
Another chapter in Mbappe’s amazing World Cup career
The award reinforced Mbappe’s exceptional record on football’s biggest stages.After winning the Golden Boot at Qatar 2022 with eight goals, the Real Madrid striker returned four years later to score another 10 goals, becoming the first player to claim the honor in two successive World Cups.His tally also made him the first player to reach double figures in a single World Cup tournament since German legend Gerd Muller scored 10 goals in 1970.Only Frenchman Just Fontaine, who scored 13 goals in 1958, and Hungarian Sandor Kocsis, who scored 11 goals in 1954, have managed to score more goals in a single World Cup tournament.Across the 2018, 2022 and 2026 editions, Mbappe has now scored 22 World Cup goals in just 22 appearances, surpassing Messi to become the tournament’s all-time top scorer.Other players also featured prominently in the Golden Boot race, including Englishman Harry Kane, who scored six goals, as well as Jude Bellingham and Norwegian Erling Haaland, who both finished with seven goals, and all of them were among the top scorers during the tournament.
Final individual honour
While Mbappé won the Golden Boot, Spain dominated the remaining individual awards after lifting the trophy.Rodri was awarded the adidas Ballon d’Or after dominating Spain’s midfield throughout the tournament, culminating in a stunning display in the final.
The Manchester City midfielder finished the tournament with 694 completed passes and was recognized as the best player of the tournament ahead of Messi, Mbappe and England’s Jude Bellingham.Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon was awarded the Golden Glove after conceding just one goal in eight matches and keeping seven clean sheets during La Roja’s title-winning campaign.
Although Messi failed to secure the World Cup and Golden Boot in what could be his final appearance in football’s biggest tournament, his campaign has remained one of the best.
The Argentina captain directly contributed to 12 goals with eight strikes and four assists as he led the defending champions to a second successive World Cup final.But this time the championship belonged to Mbappe.With a record-breaking career haul of 10 goals, another Golden Boot and a solo place at the top of the all-time World Cup scoring charts, the France captain once again underscored why he remains one of the defining players of his generation.