Kylian Mbappe made FIFA World Cup history by becoming the first player to win the Golden Boot twice after finishing as the tournament’s top scorer.
The France captain scored 10 goals, finishing ahead of Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who ended the tournament with eight. England midfielder Jude Bellingham and Norway striker Erling Haaland were next on the list with seven goals each.
Mbappe had also won the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with eight goals, despite France losing the final. The Real Madrid forward, who made his World Cup debut in 2018, boosted his tally with two goals in France’s third-place playoff against England on Saturday, a match England won 6-4.
With 22 goals in three World Cups, Mbappe is now the competition’s all-time leading scorer, moving one goal ahead of Messi. The Argentina captain was unable to add to his tally as Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in Sunday’s final.
“When you score that many goals in the World Cup, it certainly takes you to a whole new level,” Mbappe said after the third-place playoff.
“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.”
France coach Didier Deschamps, who has worked with Mbappe in all three of his World Cup campaigns, praised his captain.
“He’s an extraordinary player. He is a brilliant captain,” Deschamps said.
Spain midfielder Rodri was named the Golden Ball winner as the tournament’s best player. Goalkeeper Unai Simon won the Golden Glove after conceding just one goal in eight matches, while 19-year-old defender Pau Cubarsi received the FIFA Young Player Award.
