Messi und Mbappé: The fight for Klose's World Cup record
· Yahoo Sports
Miroslav Klose's World Cup record of 16 World Cup goal record could be history on Monday.
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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. Mbappé is also set to play on Monday, against Iraq, in what would be his 100th cap.
The age factor
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 at least one more tournament at 31 and possibly even another one at 35.
It is no surprise that Mbappé, who is now also French record scorer with 58 goals, has admitted that "everyone is approaching me over Klose's record" and it would be surreal to get 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 pride
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.
The title goal
Messi has defied the critics on his age with the three goals and 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 not even his hat-trick was enough in the 2022 final because Messi also had two goals there and Argentina eventually won on penalties.