Kylian Mbappé moved past Lionel Messi and Pelé on the all-time FIFA World Cup goals list during a match on June 16, 2026.

The achievement cements Mbappé's position as one of the most prolific scorers in the history of the tournament. By climbing the rankings, the French striker enters the elite tier of football's historical figures while France continues its campaign in the group stage.

Mbappé scored two goals [2] in France's 3-1 [3] victory over Senegal. These goals brought his total World Cup career tally to 14 [1], officially moving him ahead of both Messi and Pelé on the scoring list [4].

The performance was the catalyst for France's win in the group-stage encounter. Mbappé's ability to find the net in high-pressure tournament play has become a hallmark of his international career, a trend that saw him surpass two of the greatest players to ever play the sport.

With 14 goals [1], Mbappé now holds the third-most World Cup goals in history [1]. The milestone occurred hours before Messi claimed a spot alongside him in certain rankings, though Mbappé had already established the lead during the match against Senegal [1].

France's victory ensures a strong start to the tournament. The team's offensive efficiency was highlighted by Mbappé's brace, which provided the necessary cushion to secure the 3-1 [3] result.

“Kylian Mbappé moved past Lionel Messi and Pelé on the all-time FIFA World Cup goals list”

Mbappé's ascent to third on the all-time World Cup scoring list signifies a changing of the guard in international football. While Messi and Pelé defined previous eras of the sport, Mbappé is rewriting the record books in real-time. His ability to consistently score in the world's most prestigious tournament places him in a statistical category reserved for the greatest strikers in history, potentially setting him up to challenge for the top spot if France progresses deep into the 2026 tournament.