Kylian Mbappé's Historic World Cup Goal Record Earns Massive Asterisk

Kylian Mbappé has become the World Cup's all-time leading goal scorer, but his record is tainted by a third-place game that many consider meaningless. On Saturday, Mbappé scored two goals in France's 6-4 loss to England in the third-place game, pushing his career World Cup tally to 22 and moving him past Lionel Messi's 21.

What happened?

Mbappé's historic goal record was built partly on a game that the sport itself overall does not seem to believe in. The third-place game is often considered a glorified friendly, and many coaches and players treat it as such. Mbappé's record was built on a game where he had two extra games' worth of scoring chances that a quarterfinal loser, like Erling Haaland, doesn't get.

Why it matters for Kylian Mbappé

Mbappé deserves everything he has done at World Cups before this. However, his record is tainted by the fact that he achieved it in a game that many consider meaningless. The third-place game is a tier above a glorified friendly and several tiers below the Club World Cup final. Mbappé's record is not just about his individual achievement, but also about the context in which he achieved it.

What comes next?

FIFA has been criticized for the third-place game, and many have called for it to be scrapped. The Copa America has done it every edition since 1993, and all I can remember from those is Lionel Messi and Gary Medel nearly coming to blows. The UEFA European Championship stopped it in 1980, one of the many things Europe just does better. It's time for FIFA to reconsider the third-place game and give it the respect it deserves.

Mbappé's record is a testament to his individual achievement, but it's also a reminder of the flaws in the World Cup format. The third-place game is a relic of a bygone era, and it's time for FIFA to move on. The game is secondary to the money and the host city, and it's time for FIFA to prioritize the sport over the profits.

Mbappé's record is a reminder that even the greatest players can be tainted by the context in which they achieve their goals. His record is a reminder that the World Cup is a complex and multifaceted tournament, and that individual achievements can be tainted by the flaws in the format.

Mbappé's record is a reminder that the World Cup is a sport, not a business. The third-place game is a reminder that the sport is secondary to the profits, and it's time for FIFA to prioritize the sport over the money.