Kylian Mbappe has backed Lionel Messi to score in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Spain, predicting the Argentina captain will find the net and reclaim the Golden Boot despite Mbappe overtaking him in the tournament's all-time scoring chart.
Mbappe's Prediction for Messi
Speaking to Fox Sports as reported by Goal after France's 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place playoff, the 27-year-old France captain said: "Messi is going to score on Sunday, that's for sure. I'm just trying to help my team win. When you score a lot of goals at the World Cup, it puts you in a certain category."
Mbappe reached a historic milestone during the bronze-medal match, scoring twice to take his World Cup tally to 22 goals, one more than Messi's 21. According to the BBC, the Real Madrid forward also strengthened his grip on the Golden Boot race after moving two goals clear of the Argentine icon before Sunday's title decider at MetLife Stadium.
Personal Records Mean Little Without Final
Despite becoming the tournament's all-time leading scorer, Mbappe insisted the personal achievement brought little comfort following France's semi-final defeat to England. He added: "I would have preferred not to be the all-time top scorer and to be playing tomorrow's match. It's good in terms of legacy, but today it's not the first thing on my mind."
Messi heads into the final with the chance to reclaim major individual honours while chasing a second consecutive World Cup title. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner recently shared an emotional message with his Argentina teammates, reflecting on the journey that has defined his international career.
Messi's Emotional Message to Argentina
Legit.ng previously reported that Messi wrote an open letter to Argentina, explaining that the greatest reward has not been the trophies alone but the experiences, sacrifices and unity built within the national team camp. He also thanked the coaching staff and behind-the-scenes personnel who have supported the squad throughout the tournament.
