Mbappe Prioritizes World Cup Glory Over Personal Records
Kylian Mbappe has stated that winning the FIFA World Cup is his main goal, even as he is close to breaking Lionel Messi’s all-time scoring record in World Cup tournaments.
In a recent match, Mbappe scored two goals in France’s impressive 3-0 victory over Sweden in the Round of 32. This brought his World Cup goal total to 18 in just 18 games. His two goals also brought him to six goals in the ongoing 2026 World Cup, tying him with Messi in the race for the Golden Boot and just one goal away from Messi’s all-time record of 19 goals.
Despite this impressive milestone, Mbappe emphasized that personal achievements take a backseat to France’s quest for another World Cup title. “The goal is to reach July 19 and be here for the final,” he said, referring to the upcoming match in New York.
“We’re focused on winning and taking it one game at a time. Sure, scoring more goals helps me climb the rankings, but Leo will likely continue to score too, so I don’t dwell on that too much,” he added. “My attention is on our opponents and the journey to the final.”
Lionel Messi will have the chance to extend his record when Argentina faces Cape Verde in their Round of 32 match on Friday.
As for France, they are set to play Paraguay in the round of 16 after Paraguay surprised Germany by winning in a penalty shootout. Mbappe expects another tough challenge and believes there are still areas for improvement, despite their solid win over Sweden. “We’ll keep working before the Paraguay match to refine our game; there are parts that need to be clearer,” he mentioned. “However, our goal-scoring ability gives us the chance to lead in matches.”
France will enter the game against Paraguay as favorites, with the winner facing either Canada or Morocco in the quarter-finals. While Mbappe continues to chase records, he remains focused on securing another championship for his nation.
