Kylian Mbappe Makes More World Cup History, But How Great Can He Be?

As Lionel Messi looked destined to write his name in the World Cup history books in Lusail, Qatar, on Sunday, the performance of Kylian Mbappe on the opposing team almost spoiled the party.

The French forward continues to write his own impressive story, etching his name in the history of the sport and, especially, of the World Cup itself.

At just 24 years old, Mbappe was already playing in his second World Cup final when his France side met Argentina on Sunday.

He won his first in 2018, scoring France’s fourth goal in the final as it defeated Croatia 4-2 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. That strike was his fourth goal at that tournament in Russia, and his eight in Qatar take him to 12 in total. This puts him level with Pele, who also scored 12 goals in the same number of World Cup matches (14), for goals at World Cups.

Messi has just one more goal than Mbappe at World Cups and they are not far behind the overall record, held by Miroslav Klose who scored 16 across 24 matches and four tournaments.

That Mbappe has so many goals at this prestigious competition already, and despite defeat on Sunday already has a winner’s medal to his name, makes it likely he’ll break goalscoring records at soccer’s biggest international tournament. The pinnacle of the international game.

If he remains injury-free, Mbappe, who only turned 24 the Tuesday after Sunday’s 2022 World Cup final, should have at least two more World Cups in him. If he plays for as long as the now 35-year-old Messi, that number rises to three.

Mbappe has already broken one record. His hat trick against Argentina when added to his strike against Croatia just over four years earlier gives him the most goals in World Cup finals.

It was only the second hat trick in a final after Geoff Hurst’s for England against West Germany in 1966.

In terms of World Cup achievements, Mbappe had already beaten Messi to the chase.

The Argentine attacker, who will now surely go down as the greatest association footballer of all time, had to wait until he was 35 to win the World Cup.

As it was, it was a finale fitting of such a player. A World Cup trophy to round off a remarkable career during which numerous records had been broken and numerous trophies had been won.

Messi did have three Champions League titles to his name by the age of 24, though, and despite Mbappe’s presence in the star-studded, expensively assembled Paris Saint-Germain side, he is yet to lift the biggest prize in European club football.

He is only ten goals away from being PSG’s all-time top scorer, currently sat on 190 goals with Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani having netted 200 for the side from the French capital. In terms of achievements at his current club, he only really needs those ten goals plus a Champions League title to make his time there feel more complete.

Imminent decisions and success or otherwise at club level could have a great bearing on how Mbappe is seen among the game’s greats by the time he reaches his thirties.

PSG has the money, but sporting reasons may tempt a move away from the club to further cement his place among the greats. If he can become a legend at PSG and another prestigious European side, then that would surely see his stock rise.

But even at such a young age, his legendary status for France is not in doubt. The nation also has a number of talented young players coming through so they are likely to be a force at the next three World Cups in which Mbappe should participate.

Mbappe’s overall place in the pantheon of soccer greats is yet to be decided, but he has made the best start possible.