'Clear' Lionel Messi is still the best player in the world amid World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race, says Kylian Mbappe
Published 22/06/2026 at 10:25 GMT+1
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Kylian Mbappe has admitted that Lionel Messi remains the best player in the world, with the France and Argentina stars set to battle for the World Cup Golden Boot again in North America, after going head-to-head four years ago in Qatar.
'I've always placed that above everything else' - Mbappe makes history
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Messi is currently leading the way after a stunning hat-trick in Argentina's opening game against Algeria.
Mbappe, meanwhile, scored a second-half brace as France beat Senegal 3-1 in their first group match.
Harry Kane and Erling Haaland also netted twice in their opening games as the big names made an instant impact at the World Cup.
Asked which of the aforementioned four players is the best, Mbappe told the Guardian: "Lionel is the best of the four players, it’s clear. He is the best of the best with Cristiano [Ronaldo].
"He’s shown over 15 years he has an amazing quality. For the rest, it’s a debate for journalists and fans.
"It’s good to debate but it’s not an issue in my head. I just try to show what I can do and show my ability on the biggest stage."
Mbappe scored one more goal than Messi in Qatar to win the Golden Boot, but the Argentina great won the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament, lifting the trophy after a penalty shoot-out win over France.
After his hat-trick against Algeria, Messi moved level with Miroslav Klose as the World Cup's record scorer (16 goals).
Mbappe is only two goals behind, but has the benefit of youth. At 27, he likely has plenty more World Cup football to play, while Messi is almost certainly at his last tournament.
But Mbappe claimed he is more focused on France's success than individual glory.
"I knew Messi would go and score goals, he always does," the Real Madrid forward said. "He is ahead of me but I will keep scoring to help our squad go as far as possible.
"When you score goals it helps towards breaking records, but I want to win the World Cup."
Remarkably, Mbappe will earn his 100th France cap against Iraq on Saturday, becoming only the 10th Frenchman to reach that milestone.
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"It is always a pleasure to be able to play in the national team and there is nothing bigger than that for me," he said. "To reach 100 caps, that’s historic, to do it at a World Cup all the more so.
"So it’s a special match for me, but the thing that is clear in my mind is that we need to win in order to qualify."
Much has been made of France's plethora of attacking talent at this World Cup, though they struggled to make an impact in the first half against Senegal.
Michael Olise, off the back of an exceptional season with Bayern Munich, and Mbappe starred in the second half, but the latter singled out Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele for praise.
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"In the first half he was the best attacker, he made the play fluid," Mbappe said. "In the second half Michael Olise and I were decisive [in the opening goal] but Ousmane also contributed.
"If you see Michael’s pass, Ousmane creates the space. It doesn’t count in the stats, but it matters. He is the Ballon d’Or [winner] and everyone is on board."
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