Kylian Mbappe Wins Second World Cup Golden Boot

By Rohan Gupta — 20 July 2026 — 3 min read

Kylian Mbappe has become the first player to win the World Cup Golden Boot award twice, securing the honour for top scorer at the 2026 World Cup. The France forward scored 10 goals in eight matches, surpassing Lionel Messi in the scoring race. This achievement follows his previous Golden Boot win at Qatar 2022, where he scored eight goals.

Mbappe’s 10 goals mark the first time a male player has reached double figures for World Cup goals since Gerd Muller for West Germany in 1970. Only Just Fontaine, who scored 13 goals for France in 1958, and Hungary’s Sandor Kocsis, with goals in 1954, have scored more individual goals in a single tournament. Mbappe is now also the men’s all-time leading scorer in the World Cup with 22 goals, one more than Messi.

Despite his individual success, Mbappe’s France team finished fourth after a 6-4 defeat against England in the bronze match. He expressed a preference for team success over individual accolades, stating that he would have preferred to play in the final.

Spain’s Dominance in Awards

World champions Spain received several other awards, with captain Rodri earning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. The Manchester City midfielder was a key figure in Spain’s successful campaign, which led to their second men’s World Cup triumph. Rodri received his award from Fifa president Gianni Infantino at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey after the final.

This marks Rodri’s third major individual accolade, having previously won the Ballon d’Or in 2023 and the Uefa Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament after Spain’s victory against England two years prior. Messi was awarded the Silver Ball as the second-best player, while Mbappe received the Bronze Ball.

Key Individual Recognitions

Unai Simon, Spain’s goalkeeper, was awarded the Golden Glove for the best goalkeeper. The Athletic Club stopper conceded only one goal in eight games and recorded seven clean sheets. He was selected over Arsenal’s David Raya as Spain’s number one, justifying manager Luis de la Fuente’s decision with strong performances throughout the tournament.

The award for the Best Young Player went to Pau Cubarsi, the 19-year-old Barcelona centre-back. Cubarsi played a crucial role in the Spanish defence, which conceded only once during the entire tournament. He played every minute for Spain as they replicated their 2010 World Cup success.

Golden Boot Race Details

The race for the Golden Boot involved several prominent players. Mbappe’s 10 goals included two in the bronze match against England. Messi concluded the competition with eight goals in as many matches, unable to find the net in the final where Argentina was defeated 1-0 by Spain.

England’s Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland of Norway each scored seven goals. Following them were France forward Ousmane Dembele and England captain Harry Kane, both with six goals. Kane, who won the Golden Boot in 2018, scored three headed goals and two from the penalty spot.

Mbappe’s goals in the tournament included two against Senegal and Iraq in the group stage, as well as Sweden in the last 32. Messi, despite his numerous individual honours, has yet to win a World Cup Golden Boot.

Historical Context of the Golden Boot

The Golden Boot has been a career-defining award for many players. Past winners include James Rodríguez (2014), Thomas Müller (2010), Miroslav Klose (2006), Ronaldo (2002), Davor Šuker (1998), Salvatore Schillaci (1990), Gary Lineker (1986), Paolo Rossi (1982), and Mario Kempes (1978). Just Fontaine’s record of 13 goals in 1958 remains the highest in a single World Cup.

Former England striker Gary Lineker noted the significant impact of winning the award, mentioning his move to Barcelona after his Golden Boot win. The 2026 World Cup Golden Boot race highlighted a rivalry between Mbappe and Messi, with Mbappe ultimately securing the top scorer award.

Source: bbc.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter