Mbappe Wins 2026 World Cup Golden Boot

France captain Kylian Mbappe won the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot on Sunday after finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals.

The Real Madrid forward topped the scoring charts ahead of Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who finished with eight goals, after the final at MetLife Stadium.

England midfielder Jude Bellingham and Norway striker Erling Haaland each scored seven goals in the tournament.

A digital display shows the score 0-0 before extra time during the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP).

Mbappe, 27, scored twice in Saturday’s third-place play-off, which England won 6-4, to seal the Golden Boot for the second time. He also won the prize at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where France were beaten finalists.

The Frenchman now holds the record for most goals in World Cup history, with 22 across three tournaments, one ahead of Messi.

“I would have preferred not to be the all-time top scorer and to be playing tomorrow’s match,” Mbappe said after the play-off.

Mbappe, who made his World Cup debut in 2018, has won more than 100 caps for France.

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Jimisayo Opanuga

Jimisayo Opanuga is a web writer in the Digital Department at News Central TV, where she covers African and international stories. Her reporting focuses on social issues, health, justice, and the environment, alongside general-interest news. She is passionate about telling stories that inform the public and give voice to underreported communities.