The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be a highly anticipated competition, largely due to the intensifying rivalry between Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé. Both players are vying for the top spot in World Cup all-time goalscoring charts. Mbappé recently scored a brace against Senegal, further solidifying his position as a prolific goalscorer in the tournament’s history. While the article doesn’t detail Messi’s recent performance, it frames both players’ achievements within the context of an escalating competition. This suggests a compelling narrative for the upcoming World Cup, centered around the duel between these two exceptional footballers. The article originates from Hespress, a Moroccan online newspaper.