Mbappé speaks candidly about Messi after their goal-scoring duel chasing new records in the 2026 World Cup.
On 23 June 2026, Kylian Mbappé, the French national team striker, gave a recent interview about Lionel Messi, the Argentine football star, after the second group stage match of the 2026 World Cup last night, in which both players scored goals and set new records.
Lionel Messi scored both goals for Argentina in their 2-0 win over Austria, securing a spot in the Round of 32 as group J champions. He also set the record for the most goals scored in World Cup history with 18, surpassing Germany's legendary Miroslav Klose, who scored 16.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé was not far behind, scoring two goals in France's 3-0 victory over Iraq, also guaranteeing their place in the Round of 32. France has 6 points, tied with Norway in group I. Mbappé's total World Cup goals now stand at 16, matching Miroslav Klose's tally.
When asked about chasing the all-time World Cup goal-scoring record alongside Lionel Messi, his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate in Ligue 1, Mbappé said, "I already knew Leo would score goals. He is Lionel Messi; he always scores."
"He holds that record, and I am following behind him. I will keep trying to score to help the team progress as far as possible."
"Of course, scoring goals helps us get closer to that kind of record, but the most important thing for me is to take the French national team as far as we can."
Kylian Mbappé helped France win the 2018 World Cup and reach the final of the 2022 World Cup, where they lost to Argentina led by Lionel Messi in a penalty shootout in the final.
