Kylian Mbappe has done something no other player has ever managed: scoring 22 goals across three World Cups, the French striker now holds the tournament's all-time scoring record outright. He reached the milestone in Saturday's third-place match against England, a chaotic 6-4 defeat for France, by netting twice at Miami Stadium. Main Developments Mbappe's double against England pushed his career World Cup tally past Argentina's Lionel Messi, who sits on 21 goals and is expected to play his final World Cup match in Sunday's final against Spain. The 27-year-old Real Madrid forward finished his third campaign with 10 goals, securing the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer—two ahead of Messi. He achieved the record across 22 appearances, having scored four times in 2018 and eight in 2022, with France reaching both finals. Les Bleus beat Croatia in 2018 but lost to Argentina four years ago on penalties. Read also: Cricket Great Garry Sobers Dies at 89, Global Tributes Pour In Background Mbappe's path to history began when he burst onto the global stage as a 19-year-old in Russia, scoring four goals to help France lift the trophy. Four years later in Qatar, he scored a hat-trick in the final against Messi's Argentina, a performance that hinted at his ability to challenge long-standing records. Messi, widely considered one of the greatest players ever, had held the all-time mark with 21 goals since the 2022 tournament. Mbappe's consistency across three editions—each time improving his goal tally—has now placed him alone at the top. Why It Matters Setting the World Cup scoring record at age 27, Mbappe could potentially play in at least one more global tournament, possibly two. This longevity means his 22-goal mark may prove unreachable for current rivals, especially as Messi is almost certainly playing his final World Cup match on Sunday. The record also cements Mbappe's legacy as a player who delivers on the biggest stage. As he noted, scoring heavily at World Cups places a player in a special category—though he admitted he would rather be contesting Sunday's final than holding the scoring record. What's Next Mbappe will watch from home as Messi and Argentina face Spain in the 2026 final, where Messi could add to his 21 goals before retiring from international football. Meanwhile, France's star striker will likely target the 2030 World Cup, where he could extend his lead at the top of the all-time list even further.