Kylian Mbappé is a French forward, the captain of France’s men’s national team and a Real Madrid player. On 16 June 2026, he became France’s all-time leading international scorer with his 58th goal.

Born in Bondy, France, Mbappé emerged as an international star during France’s 2018 World Cup win. He became only the second teenager, after Pelé, to score in a World Cup final. At the 2022 tournament, he scored a hat-trick in the final against Argentina and finished as top scorer despite France losing on penalties.

His 2026 Golden Boot and career World Cup scoring record put him at the centre of the modern international game. By 19 July 2026, he was the first player to win the Golden Boot twice.

Key Issues

World Cup scoring

Mbappé sets the scoring record

On 18 July 2026, Mbappé scored twice as France lost 6-4 to England in the third-place play-off. Those goals took him to 22 career World Cup goals, passing Lionel Messi’s 21 and making him the competition’s outright leading men’s scorer.

On 19 July 2026, his ten goals remained the tournament’s highest tally after the final. Mbappé became the first player to win the Golden Boot at two separate World Cups, after also taking the award in 2022.

Common Questions

Reference

Is Mbappé France's all-time top scorer?

Yes, Mbappé is France's all-time leading international scorer.

Did Mbappé win the World Cup with France?

Yes, Mbappé won the World Cup with France in 2018 in Russia, becoming the second teenager after Pelé to score in a World Cup final.

When did Mbappé get his 100th France cap?

Mbappé won his 100th France cap during the 2026 World Cup group stage on 22 June 2026, becoming the youngest Frenchman in history to reach that mark.

How many World Cups has Mbappé played in?

The 2026 tournament is Mbappé's third World Cup, after winning in 2018 and finishing runner-up in 2022.

What club does Kylian Mbappé play for in 2026?

Mbappé plays for Real Madrid, having joined in summer 2024 after seven seasons at Paris Saint-Germain.

Is Mbappe ahead of Messi in the Golden Boot race?

Mbappé won the 2026 Golden Boot outright with ten goals after his brace in the 18 July third-place playoff against England. The same match also gave him the outright all-time World Cup career scoring record: 22 goals, passing Messi's 21.Source: Lowdown

Did France reach the World Cup final in 2026?

No. France lost 2-0 to Spain in the semi-final in Arlington on 14 July, and play the third-place playoff against England on 18 July instead.Source: Lowdown

How many World Cup goals does Mbappé have in 2026?

Mbappe finished the 2026 World Cup with ten goals, having played his last match, the third-place playoff against England, on 18 July 2026. That 18 July goal also gave him the outright all-time World Cup career scoring record: 22 goals, passing Messi's 21.Source: Lowdown

Did Mbappé miss a penalty against Morocco?

Yes, Mbappé missed a first-half penalty saved by Yassine Bounou in France's 9 July quarter-final win over Morocco, before scoring the equaliser after the hour.Source: Lowdown

How many World Cup goals does Mbappé have?

22, the all-time record. He passed Miroslav Klose's previous total of 16 during the group stage, then Lionel Messi's 21 with a brace in the 18 July third-place playoff against England.Source: Lowdown

Why was Mbappé named France captain for the World Cup?

Didier Deschamps confirmed Mbappé as captain when naming France's final 26-man squad on 14 May 2026, in what Deschamps announced would be his own final World Cup as head coach.

Is Kylian Mbappé fit for the 2026 World Cup?

Yes. Mbappé sustained a semitendinosus muscle injury in late April 2026 but it did not curtail his tournament; he was named in France's final 26 on 14 May and played every match through the semi-final.

Source Material

Kylian Mbappé