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By Alex Brasky
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Although Lionel Messi surpassed Germany's Miroslav Klose for the most World Cup goals in tournament history during Argentina's 2-0 win over Austria, there is another player who is right on his heels.
France striker Kylian Mbappe scored his 15th career World Cup goal during his team's Group I match against Iraq on Monday, which was his third tally of the tournament. Mbappe is now tied with former Brazilian striker Ronaldo for the third-most goals in the tournament's history and just three off the pace set by Messi. Messi has five goals already during the 2026 event, netting two during the Argentine's win over the Austrians earlier Monday afternoon, putting his career total at 18.
With Mbappe going tit for tat with Messi throughout the start of this year's tournament, another legend of the game, former Sweden striker and current FOX analyst Zlatan Ibrahimovic, made a bold prediction about the future of the scoring record.
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"He has won the World Cup already, he is on 14 goals and he has probably another, how many World Cups to go?" said Ibrahimovic even before Mbappe, who helped guide the French to the 2018 World Cup title as a 19-year-old, scored against Iraq, during FOX's pregame show.
Ibrahimovic added, "This guy is gonna beat Messi."
While bold, the FOX analyst's opinion is not unfeasible. In fact, it may be probable. Messi turns 39 on June 24 and could be participating in his last-ever World Cup. Meanwhile, Mbappe is amid the prime of his career at 27 years old. He may have three or more tournaments left in him.
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Mbappe scored 12 goals over his first two World Cups, netting four in 2018 in Russia and eight in 2022 in Qatar. He already has three in one and a half games in 2026. Heck, there's a chance he could come from behind and catch Messi this year.
Nevertheless, as Ibrahimovic said, it appears to be a forgone conclusion that Mbappe will eventually wind up atop the ranks as the most prolific goal scorer in World Cup history.
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