Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé have undoubtedly been the standout stars of the World Cup so far.
Just shy of his 39th birthday, Messi has reached five goals in only two matches. He now stands alone at the top of the World Cup’s all-time scoring chart, with 18 goals.
Messi himself is grateful to God, and the entire soccer world is grateful to be living in the era of Messi.
With two goals in run against Austria, Messi moved past former German scorer Miroslav Klose, who retired shortly after his team took home the World Cup in 2014, with a total of 16 goals at the event.
Miroslav Klose of Germany reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 final between Germany and Argentina at the Estadio do Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 13, 2014.
As of Tuesday night game between France and Iraq, however, his record is under threat from French team captain Kylian Mbappé, who, at 27 years old, has already scored 16 World Cup goals.
“Leo always scores goals. He always has, he still does, and he always will,” Mbappé told reporters. “I start focusing on what Messi does, I’ll have even more things to worry about. That’s why, no, I’m not paying any attention to what he’s doing.”
Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group I – France v Iraq – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. – June 22, 2026 France’s Ousmane Dembele celebrates scoring their third goal with Jules Kounde and Kylian Mbappe IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/James Lang TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Words are almost unnecessary when it comes to the “alien” that is Lionel Messi. The entire planet loves watching him play—from the United States and Buenos Aires to Bangladesh.
