Mbappé takes World Cup scoring crown with 22 goals
Telemundo reported Kylian Mbappé hit 22 career World Cup goals after scoring 10 times at the 2026 tournament.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
Kylian Mbappé has moved to the top of the World Cup scoring list, reaching 22 career goals in the tournament, according to Telemundo’s coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The French star’s record haul came after a 2026 campaign in which Telemundo said he scored 10 goals. The network marked the milestone with a video recap of those strikes, framing the run as the burst that pushed him ahead in the all-time race.
Mbappé’s new mark puts him one goal ahead of Lionel Messi, who has 21 World Cup goals, according to Telemundo. The network reported that Messi still had a chance to answer in the match for the title.
A record, but no bronze for France
The scoring record arrived on a difficult day for France. Telemundo’s World Cup coverage said England beat France in the third-place match at the 2026 tournament, taking the bronze after a game packed with goals.
Related Telemundo segments described the match as a goal festival between England and France. The network also reported that England returned to a World Cup podium after six decades.
Mbappé was among the scorers in the bronze-medal match, with Telemundo highlighting a goal from him that brought France back into the contest. Another segment listed Ousmane Dembélé scoring to make it 4-5, while Bukayo Saka converted a penalty for England and Jude Bellingham later sealed the English victory, according to the network’s video listings.
Saka was named player of the match, Telemundo reported. In another segment, the network said Saka credited England’s bronze-medal win to how the team played in the first half.
Golden Boot race still alive
Mbappé’s 10 goals in the tournament also left the Golden Boot picture open, according to Telemundo, which described the award as being in Messi’s hands before the final. The network reported that Messi, sitting on 21 career World Cup goals, would have his chance to respond in the title match.
The day also carried a farewell note for France. Telemundo identified the match against England as Didier Deschamps’ last with the national team, and quoted him afterward saying it had been “a very beautiful adventure.”
For Mbappé, the record stands apart from the result: 22 World Cup goals, 10 in the 2026 tournament, and the top spot in the competition’s all-time scoring chart, as reported by Telemundo.
This story draws on original reporting from TELEMUNDO.com.