Kylian Mbappe has offered a surprising prediction in the fiercely contested World Cup Golden Boot race, backing rival Lionel Messi to outscore him, despite the French forward recently drawing level with the Argentine icon.

The Paris Saint-Germain star brought his tournament tally to six goals, matching Messi, after a standout performance for France. Mbappe netted two goals in his nation’s commanding 3-0 victory over Sweden, a result that further solidified his position as one of the tournament’s most prolific attackers.

Mbappe’s brace brings him level

Mbappe’s brace against Sweden was a display of his blistering pace and clinical finishing, reminding fans worldwide of his undeniable talent. His two strikes not only helped France secure a comfortable win but also propelled him into a direct tie with Messi at the top of the goal-scoring charts. For many, this moment intensified the individual battle for the Golden Boot, pitting two of football’s biggest names against each other for one of the sport’s most coveted individual honours.

A surprising prediction

However, instead of asserting his own claim, Mbappe turned heads with his assessment of the race. Speaking after his match-winning performance, the French forward expressed confidence in his rival. According to BBC Sport, Mbappe stated, regarding his competitor for the Golden Boot award, “Messi will score more goals.”

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This unexpected endorsement from a direct rival adds an intriguing layer to the Golden Boot narrative. It highlights not only the mutual respect between two generational talents but also perhaps a strategic mind game in the high-stakes environment of international football. With both players demonstrating exceptional form, the competition for the award remains wide open, promising an exciting conclusion to the tournament’s individual accolades.

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