Monday, July 13, 2026

Al Jazeera - Hammoud Al-Mutairi:

Argentine legend Lionel Messi and French star Kylian Mbappé continue to make history in the 2026 World Cup, in an extraordinary race for the title of the tournament's all-time top scorer.

Messi succeeded in strengthening his lead on the all-time World Cup scorers list after raising his tally to 21 goals, while Mbappé continues his direct pursuit after reaching 20 goals, leaving the gap between them just one goal before the decisive stages of the tournament, making the competition open until the final whistle.

Messi, aged 39, has reached 21 goals after participating in six World Cup editions, and seeks to end his international career with a new historic achievement, while Mbappé, aged 27, is playing in the tournament for only the third time, scoring 20 goals, and hopes to break records at an early age, confirming that he is one of the brightest stars of his generation and the leading candidate to top the all-time scorers list in the future. Between Messi's experience and Mbappé's ambition, fans are set for one of the most exciting races in World Cup history, as the competition between the two stars is not limited to the all-time scorers list, but extends to the 2026 World Cup top scorer race, where the duo share the lead with 8 goals each, followed by Norwegian Erling Haaland with 7 goals, then Englishman Harry Kane with 6 goals and his teammate, English midfielder Jude Bellingham with 6 goals, while Frenchman Ousmane Dembélé is among the top scorers in the tournament with 5 goals.

All eyes are on what the semi-final and final matches will yield, given the possibility of changing historical numbers with each new goal. Will Messi succeed in widening the gap and strengthening his record, or will Mbappé snatch the lead and write a new chapter in World Cup history?

Read also Geography of sports, Your Highness the Minister World Cup fever: The World Cup diagnoses the conditions of European champions Good tidings The illusion of hormones: and fitness gyms? Sports law: Morocco national team, pride of the Arabs