Messi carries 13 World Cup goals into the tournament while Mbappe has 12, putting both within range of Miroslav Klose's all time record of 16. Mbappe previously scored in the 2018 and 2022 finals, and another final goal could make him the first player to score in three separate World Cup finals and the first to score in three consecutive finals.
Ronaldo is already the only player to score in five World Cup editions, having done so in every tournament since 2006. A goal in 2026 could make him the first to score in six World Cups. Messi is also pursuing consecutive titles with defending champion Argentina following the 2022 triumph in Qatar, a run that could make Argentina only the third nation to win back to back World Cups.
