Mbappe's Golden Boot surge after England loss, backs Messi

Kylian Mbappe’s two‑goal burst in the World Cup third‑place play‑off has propelled him to the top of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot race, while the French striker publicly hailed Lionel Messi as the likely star of the final. His performance re‑ignited France’s hopes for individual accolades despite the team’s overall disappointment.

The brace came in a dramatic 4‑6 loss to England, the decisive moment that reshaped the tournament’s scoring leaderboard. England’s high‑scoring victory secured third place, while Mbappe’s double was the only bright spot for France.

Mbappe’s double moved him clear at the top of the scoring charts, securing the lead in the Golden Boot race. The performance added another remarkable chapter to his World Cup career despite the heavy defeat.

France’s journey ended with consecutive defeats – a semi‑final loss to Spain followed by the England defeat – leaving Les Bleus fourth and medal‑less despite entering the tournament among the favourites. The back‑to‑back setbacks underscored the gap between individual brilliance and collective results.

“I don’t care about being top scorer. Leo Messi will also score tomorrow! He always delivers,” said the Real Madrid forward. His comments set the narrative for a final where Messi could eclipse the French captain’s Golden Boot lead.

While Mbappe enjoys pole position for the Golden Boot, teammate Michael Olise set a new World Cup record with seven assists, offering a rare bright note for the French side. The final now stands as the stage for Messi’s promised impact as the only realistic challenger to narrow the scoring gap.