Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are both closing in on Miroslav Klose’s World Cup record of 16 goals, with Messi already level and Mbappe on 14.
KANSAS CITY: Miroslav Klose’s World Cup record of 16 goals could be history on Monday, reported German Press Agency (dpa).
Lionel Messi has already drawn level with the former Germany striker thanks to a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening 3-0 win over Algeria.
Another goal on Monday against Austria would give Messi sole possession of the record.
Also in the frame is France captain Kylian Mbappé, whose brace in a 3-1 against Senegal brought his tally to 14 goals. Mbappé is also set to play on Monday against Iraq, in what would be his 100th cap.
But even if Messi surges to the top of the list, this could be only temporary, as Mbappé has age on his side in the long run at 27, while Messi is 38 and playing what will very likely be his last World Cup.
Barring injury or anything else, Mbappé would probably play in at least one more tournament at 31 and possibly even another one at 35.
It is no surprise that Mbappé, who is now also France’s record scorer with 58 goals, has admitted that “everyone is approaching me over Klose’s record” and that it would be surreal to hold the record.
“It’s the first time in my life that a record has seemed unreal to me. Because, for me, it was unthinkable that, in a competition in which every great football legend has played, I would already be at this level at the age of 27, after just two World Cups,” he said.
Messi, who, like Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo, is playing at a record sixth World Cup, has similar feelings.
“As a child, I could never have imagined all the things I would go on to experience. I don’t look at the number. It’s an honour to be alongside Klose, Ronaldo and Mbappé,” he has said.
Messi has defied critics who questioned his age with his three goals, while Mbappé showed his class after a season without a trophy at Real Madrid.
“My ultimate goal is to win the World Cup, bring home a third star, return to the Champs-Élysées with the trophy in my hands, and give all French people an unforgettable summer,” Mbappé has said.
Mbappé scored in the 2018 final as France won the trophy, while even his hat-trick was not enough in the 2022 final because Messi also scored twice and Argentina eventually won on penalties.
(Bernama,dpa)
