Kylian Mbappé Eyes Record for Most World Cup Knockout Goals

Kylian Mbappé is positioned to make history by leading the list of players with the most goals scored in the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup, with the 2026 edition set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Currently, Mbappé shares the top spot with Brazilian legend Leonidas and fellow Frenchman Ronaldo, each having scored eight goals in World Cup elimination matches.

Following them in fourth place are Just Fontaine, Vavá, Oldrich Nejedly, and Pelé, each with seven goals. Other notable names in the subsequent rankings include Eusébio, Gary Lineker, Roberto Baggio, Thomas Müller, and Zinedine Zidane.

The list also continues to feature Argentine icon Lionel Messi, who has netted five goals across 12 knockout matches, placing him among the tournament’s all-time top scorers.

Mbappé’s Knockout Stage Scoring Journey

Mbappé began his scoring streak in World Cup knockout rounds during the 2018 tournament, where he scored twice against Argentina in the round of 16. He added another goal in the final against Croatia, helping France secure the championship.

In the 2022 World Cup, Mbappé significantly increased his tally by scoring twice against Poland in the round of 16, followed by a historic hat-trick in the final versus Argentina. This brought his knockout goals total to eight from just eight matches.

These statistics highlight Mbappé’s exceptional impact in crucial matches, establishing him as one of the most dangerous players in World Cup elimination games.

Messi’s Late Knockout Stage Breakthrough

In contrast, Lionel Messi required participation in four World Cups before scoring in knockout rounds. During the 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018 tournaments, Messi played eight complete knockout games without finding the net.

His breakthrough came in the 2022 World Cup, where he scored five goals across four consecutive knockout matches against Australia, the Netherlands, Croatia, and France. His contributions were pivotal in Argentina securing their third World Cup title.

The 2022 tournament remains exceptional in Messi’s career, as all five of his knockout goals, including two in the historic final against France, were scored during this edition.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Knockout Stage Scoring Anomaly

Despite being one of football’s greatest goal scorers, Cristiano Ronaldo’s record in World Cup knockout matches is notable for an absence of goals. Throughout his career, he has failed to score in any knockout stage games despite playing in eight such matches across five World Cups.

Ronaldo participated in elimination games against the Netherlands, England, France, and Germany in 2006; Spain in 2010; Uruguay in 2018; and Switzerland and Morocco in 2022, but did not score in any of these encounters.

This statistic places Ronaldo among the prominent football stars who have not managed to leave a scoring mark in World Cup knockout rounds, unlike his historical rivals Mbappé, Messi, and Brazilian Ronaldo.