‘Everyone is talking – and I watch TV too’

Kylian Mbappe says he is “aware of the statistics” and follows the media coverage of his golden boot race with Lionel Messi at the World Cup 2026, where the striker wants to “go down in history” by winning a second title in three editions of the tournament.

Captain Mbappe scored twice as Les Bleus breezed past Sweden 3-0 in the last 32 in New Jersey on Tuesday, moving level with Argentina counterpart Messi, who scored once against Jordan on Sunday, as the six-goal top scorer at the finals.

“I’m sure that Leo is going to score more goals, so I don’t pay too much attention to that,” said Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick in the 2022 final as France lost to Argentina in Lusail, with Messi netting twice in that game.

“I know how important a World Cup is to a country and I’ve always said that my goal is to make history for my country.

“I’ve done it once and I came close in Qatar. We can go down in our country’s history.”

World Cup 2026: France ‘want to help’ Mbappe vs Messi

Teammate Malo Gusto said France’s squad are “not surprised” that their talisman is vying with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to win the golden boot.

“When you are of Kylian’s calibre, you owe it to yourself to chase the goals, the trophies, all of that,” said the Chelsea right-back.

“We, as players, want to help him with that, of course. As long as it carries the team, we’ll take it, quite simply. We’re happy for him.”

Messi has become the all-time World Cup scorer since starting his campaign with a hat-trick against Algeria, taking his total to 19.

Second-placed Mbappe is two clear of any player in history, on 18, and has seven more than the next-most prolific active player at World Cup tournaments, England’s Harry Kane.

“I’m aware of the statistics,” admitted the 27-year-old. “Everyone is talking about them and I watch TV too.

“I focus more on the opponents we might face and how close we are to our goal, which is the final.”

World Cup 2026 golden boot standings

Here’s how the standings look before England face DR Congo in the last 32. Players level on goals are separated by assists.

France vs Sweden: World Cup contenders ‘not invincible’

Bradley Barcola also scored and Michael Olise set up two goals as France continued their perfect start to the finals, having scored 13 times in four matches.

“He did Michael things again tonight,” Gusto said of Olise, calling the Bayern forward’s display “magnificent”. “Michael helped the team a lot, as usual. We’re very proud to have this kind of player.”

Head coach Didier Deschamps returned after missing his side’s 4-1 win over Norway on matchday three following the death of his mother.

“I think Kylian did that to support the coach,” said Gusto, reflecting on Mbappe’s embrace of Deschamps after his first goal.

“It was a difficult moment for him, so it was up to us to also return the favour. We did that very well.”

France vs Paraguay: World Cup round of 16

France are in Philadelphia for the last 16 on Saturday to face Paraguay, who knocked four-time champions Germany out on penalties.

“We really mustn’t think that it’s going to be easy,” warned Gusto. “They managed to eliminate Germany.

“We know they have a lot of quality, so it’s going to be up to us to stay focused and work as hard as possible to be able to get through.

“We don’t feel invincible. It would be reckless to say that, but we have confidence on our side. We know tha the whole French public is behind us, too.”

World Cup 2026: When is France vs Paraguay?

Here’s when the game takes place in different territories. The winners will meet Canada or Morocco in the quarter-finals in Boston on July 9 (21:00 BST).