FIFA World Cup 2026: Not Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, This Superstar Holds the Record for Most Goals in World Cup Finals
When it comes to World Cup records, names like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo usually dominate the conversation. However, neither football legend holds the record for scoring the most goals in FIFA World Cup finals.
That honor belongs to Kylian Mbappé, who has scored four goals in World Cup final matches, the most by any player in history.
How Mbappé Set the Record
The French superstar scored:
- 1 goal in the 2018 World Cup Final against Croatia.
- 3 goals in the 2022 World Cup Final against Argentina, becoming only the second player ever to score a hat-trick in a men’s World Cup final.
His total of four final goals is unmatched in World Cup history.
Players With the Most World Cup Final Goals
| Player | Goals in Finals |
|---|---|
| Kylian Mbappé | 4 |
| Geoff Hurst | 3 |
| Pelé | 3 |
| Vavá | 3 |
| Zinedine Zidane | 3 |
| Lionel Messi | 2 |
| Ronaldo | 2 |
What About Messi and Ronaldo?
While Messi scored twice in the 2022 World Cup final and helped Argentina win the trophy, he remains behind Mbappé in total final goals.
As for Cristiano Ronaldo, despite being one of the greatest players of all time, he has never appeared in a FIFA World Cup final.
Can Mbappé Extend the Record in 2026?
At just 27 years old, Mbappé enters the 2026 World Cup as one of the tournament favorites and could further extend his record if France reaches another final. Many analysts also consider him a strong contender to challenge several all-time World Cup scoring records in the coming years.
Key Fact
Kylian Mbappé is the all-time leader in World Cup final goals with four, ahead of legends such as Pelé, Zidane, Messi, and Ronaldo.
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