Kylian Mbappe took a two-goal lead in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot race, but he’s still wary of Lionel Messi catching up with goals in the Final.
France will go back home without anything to show for their national team’s efforts in France, except Michael Olise’s historic new assists record (seven in a single WC) and potentially Mbappe’s new record.
Mbappe overtook Messi for the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history and the lead for the 2026 Golden Boot with a brace against England, but the French star still believes in Messi.
Kylian Mbappe backs Lionel Messi to score in the World Cup Final
While speaking to reporters after losing 6-4 to England in the third-place game, Mbappe confidently declared he expects Messi to be on the scoresheet for Argentina against Spain in the Final.
“Leo Messi will also score tomorrow! He always delivers”.
A single goal from Messi will tie the all-time scoring to 16 goals apiece, so Mbappe can’t take the record for himself until 2030, when he presumably plays while Messi might have retired.
Mbappe thinks Messi will retain his fingers on the record with a goal against Spain, but if he doesn’t, Mbappe remarkably secures the title for himself despite being just 27 years old.
France won’t even take the Bronze medals home, but Mbappe’s Golden Boot and Olise’s title as assists leader can only be challenged by Messi at this point.
France duo might have taken two individual trophies from Lionel Messi
Regardless of the result of the Final, most experts already believe Messi will win his third Golden Ball for best player of the tournament for carrying Argentina this far.
While Messi only wants the World Cup trophy, he might miss out on two awards to Mbappe and Olise.
Before the third-place game, Messi was one assist behind Olise for the tournament lead in assists and was tied with Mbappe for goals scored.
Mbappe scored two goals, assisted by Olise, against England, making it virtually impossible for Messi to secure both awards.
He still could take the Golden Boot with a brace or better and the assist title with three. But he’d let both go to France if that means he can lead Argentina as the first national team since Brazil in 1962 to defend the FIFA World Cup title.
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