Kylian Mbappé did it FIFA World Cup history by becoming the first player to win the Golden Boot in two consecutive tournaments after finishing as the top scorer in the 2026 edition Lionel Messi in one of the closest races the competition has seen.The France captain finished with 10 goals in eight games, while also providing four assists, to claim the tournament’s top scorer award. His nearest challenger, Argentina captain Lionel Messi, finished the World Cup with eight goals and four assists after failing to find the back of the net in Sunday’s 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the final.Messi went into the show knowing he needed a hat-trick to overtake Mbappé after the Frenchman struck twice in France’s dramatic 6-4 defeat of England in Saturday’s third-place playoff. Instead, Spain’s disciplined midfield, led by Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, kept the Argentina captain quiet as La Roja lifted their second World Cup title.
Mbappé’s bronze medal game changed the race
The Golden Boot race looked destined to go to the finals after Messi briefly stepped up following Argentina’s semi-final win over England.Although both stars were level on eight goals at that stage, Messi’s four assists put him ahead of Mbappé, who had three, under FIFA tiebreak rules.Everything changed in the third place playoff.France found themselves trailing England 4-0 at half-time before Mbappé sparked an unlikely comeback, scoring in the 48th and 66th minutes to take his tournament tally to 10 goals. Those two strikes not only moved him clear of Messi in the scoring charts, but also saw him overtake Argentina as the all-time top scorer in the Men’s World Cup with 22 career goals.England eventually won the extraordinary contest 6-4, but Mbappé’s individual achievements ensured he heads into the final day of the tournament in pole position for another Golden Boot.
Messi unable to make a final charge
All eyes turned after the World Cup final at the New York New Jersey Stadium.Argentina needed inspiration from Messi against a Spain side that had conceded just once all tournament, but Luis de la Fuente’s men produced one of the most complete defensive performances of the competition.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) cries at the end of the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Rodri dominated the midfield, while Spain limited Argentina to no shots on target during regular time. Messi struggled to influence proceedings and finished the match without adding to his goal or assist tally.Spain eventually secured a 1-0 victory after extra time to end Argentina’s reign as world champions.The result also confirmed Mbappé as the winner of the Golden Boot, with Messi finishing second after another outstanding World Cup campaign that saw him net eight goals and four assists.
Another chapter in Mbappé’s amazing World Cup career
The award further strengthened Mbappé’s extraordinary record on football’s biggest stage.After winning the Golden Boot at Qatar 2022 with eight goals, the Real Madrid forward returned four years later to score 10 more, becoming the first player to claim the honor at consecutive World Cups.His tally also made him the first player to reach double figures in a single World Cup since German legend Gerd Müller scored 10 goals in 1970.Only France’s Just Fontaine, who scored 13 goals in 1958, and Hungary’s Sándor Kocsis, who scored 11 in 1954, have scored more goals in a World Cup tournament.Across the 2018, 2022 and 2026 editions, Mbappé has now scored 22 World Cup goals in just 22 appearances, overtaking Messi to become the competition’s all-time top scorer.Other players also took part in the Golden Boot race, including England’s Harry Kane, who scored six goals, as well as Jude Bellingham and Norway’s Erling Haaland, who both finished with seven goals, all of whom were among the top scorers during the tournament.
Final individual honors
While Mbappé collected the Golden Boot, Spain dominated the remaining individual awards after lifting the trophy.Rodri was named the adidas Ballon d’Or winner after controlling Spain’s midfield throughout the tournament, culminating in a masterful display in the final. The Manchester City midfielder finished the competition with a World Cup record 694 completed passes and was recognized as the best player of the tournament ahead of Messi, Mbappé and England’s Jude Bellingham.Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón received the Golden Gloves after conceding just one goal in eight games and keeping seven clean sheets during La Roja’s title-winning campaign.Although Messi didn’t quite lift the World Cup trophy and the Golden Boot in what could be his last appearance at football’s biggest tournament, his campaign has been one of the best in the competition. The Argentina captain directly contributed to 12 goals through eight strikes and four assists as they guided the defending champions to a second straight World Cup final.This time, however, the tournament belongs to Mbappé.With a record 10-goal campaign, another Golden Boot and a place alone at the top of the all-time World Cup charts, the France captain has once again shown why he remains one of the players of his generation.