Chasing Pelé 

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It is an unbelievable record. After scoring for France against Morocco (2-0), Kylian Mbappé remains in hot pursuit of Lionel Messi’s World Cup goalscoring record. Messi has scored 21 goals in 31 games, and while he might hold the record at the end of the tournament, there is no doubt that it will one day belong to Mbappé.

In fact, the Frenchman is already without equal, having scored his 20 World Cup goals in 20 games. His goal-per-game record stretches back to the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The French won that tournament against Croatia (4-2), and Mbappé scored four goals. Then four years ago in Qatar, Mbappé added further to his goal tally. Mbappé scored eight goals, including a hat-trick in the final against Argentina (7-5 pens).

This summer, Mbappé is already on eight goals. Together with Messi, Mbappé leads the race for the Golden Boot. Unlike Messi, however, Mbappé didn’t score in every game. The Frenchman failed to score in the 4-1 win over Norway. But in that game, he picked up two assists. Mbappé has now scored three assists in this tournament, two more than Messi. It is incredible to think that Mbappé should have had one more goal, but he failed to score from the penalty spot against Morocco tonight.

Mbappé: On the way to break Pelé’s record?

Either way, we are witnessing greatness right in front of our eyes. Mbappé spearheads a generational French side that could reach a World Cup final for a third tournament in a row. Only Germany from 1982 to 1990 and Brazil from 1994 to 2002 managed to reach three consecutive final appearances. Germany won one of those finals (1990), and Brazil won two, in 1994 and 2002. Now France could be on the track to do the same, which would mean Mbappé’s second World Cup title.

It could be a stepping stone to absolute greatness. Several players have won the World Cup twice. But only one player, Pelé, has won the World Cup three times. Mbappé is only 27 and, in theory, still young enough for at least one, perhaps even two, tournaments. Given the strength of the current French team, there is a good chance Mbappé could equal Pelé’s record and become the top goalscorer in World Cup history. Now, that would make him, without a doubt, the greatest World Cup player in history.