Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Kylian Mbappé has etched his name into football history, becoming the first player ever to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot in two separate tournaments after finishing as the top scorer at the 2026 edition with a remarkable 10 goals. The 27-year-old France captain, who also claimed the Golden Boot at Qatar 2022 with eight goals, has now achieved the rare feat of winning the award in back-to-back World Cups, cementing his status as one of the greatest players in the history of the game.
Mbappé's record-breaking tally was sealed with a brace in France's 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place playoff at Miami on Saturday, taking his tournament total to ten goals. He becomes the first player to reach double figures in a single World Cup since Gerd Muller of West Germany scored 10 in 1970. Only Just Fontaine (13 in 1958) and Hungary's Sandor Kocsis (11 in 1954) have scored more individual goals in a single tournament.
The Real Madrid forward scored twice in France's opening match against Senegal, twice more against Iraq, and added braces against Sweden in the round of 32 and England in the third-place playoff. He also scored a crucial penalty winner against Paraguay in the round of 16 and opened the scoring in France's quarter-final victory over Morocco.
Mbappé's 10-goal haul saw him edge out Lionel Messi, who finished with eight goals after failing to score in Argentina's 1-0 final defeat to Spain. The Frenchman's victory was confirmed when Messi was unable to add to his tally in the final, leaving Mbappé with an unassailable lead. England's Jude Bellingham and Norway's Erling Haaland finished with seven goals each.
The 27-year-old also became the all-time leading scorer in men's World Cup history with 22 goals, surpassing Messi's 21-goal tally. Despite his individual success, Mbappé expressed disappointment that France could not reach the final. "When you score that many goals in the World Cup, it certainly takes you to a whole new level. But I would have preferred not to be the top scorer and to have played in the final. It's good for my legacy once I've retired, but right now, that's not what's on my mind," he said after the bronze final.
Mbappé also claimed the adidas Bronze Ball as the tournament's third-best player, finishing behind Spain's Rodri, who won the Golden Ball, and Lionel Messi, who took the Silver Ball. Spain's Unai Simon won the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper, conceding just one goal in eight matches, while 19-year-old Pau Cubarsi was named Best Young Player.
Outgoing France coach Didier Deschamps, who guided Mbappé through three World Cup campaigns, paid tribute to his captain. "He's an extraordinary player. He is a brilliant captain. Like most of those here who've only ever played under me, he's one of the key players. He started out at the age of 18. Given the journey he's been on – even though it must be a disappointment for him to have to stop and not be able to play (in the final) – and based on what I've seen him do both on and off the pitch, I have absolutely no regrets about choosing him as captain, because he has been an exemplary captain throughout this World Cup," Deschamps said.
Mbappé's historic achievement places him alongside the greatest names in World Cup history. He joins an elite group of players who have dominated the tournament's scoring charts, but his back-to-back Golden Boot wins set him apart as the first player to achieve the feat. The Golden Boot is awarded to the player who scores the most goals in the final competition, with assists and minutes played used as tiebreakers if necessary.
The 2026 World Cup will be remembered as the tournament where Mbappé firmly established himself as the premier goalscorer of his generation. His 22 World Cup goals, his 10-goal tournament haul, and his unique double Golden Boot achievement have secured his place among the immortals of the beautiful game.
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