The 2026 World Cup has already found its two biggest stars. Within just a few hours, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé made their mark by breaking records in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria and France’s 3-1 victory against Senegal.
At 38, Messi scored a historic hat-trick to secure all three points for the Albiceleste. The Argentina captain became the first player in history to feature in six World Cups and celebrated his 200th cap with a masterclass. Thanks to his three goals, he has now joined Miroslav Klose at the top of the all-time World Cup scoring chart with 16 goals.
Messi and Mbappé Go Head-to-Head
But Mbappé was quick to respond. With a brace against Senegal, the France captain became the all-time leading scorer for Les Bleus with 58 goals, overtaking Olivier Giroud. He also surpassed Just Fontaine in the record books by taking his World Cup tally to 14 goals.
The battle for the ultimate record is now fully back on. Messi shares first place with Klose on 16 goals, while Mbappé is already on 14 at just 27 years old and now sits only two goals behind the summit.
While the Argentine continues to write his legend, the Frenchman looks like the leading candidate to finally break the record. Messi’s sixth World Cup, his 200th cap, and Mbappé’s new France record have already given this 2026 World Cup its two headline acts. And the chase for the all-time World Cup scoring record has only just begun.
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