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Mbappe made a blistering start to the 2022 tournament in Qatar, notching five goals and two assists across four appearances to leave France primed for their last-eight encounter with England.
The 23-year-old boasts two goals more than his closest rivals and has had a direct impact on each of his nation's results aside from their meaningless defeat to Tunisia, when he was brought on with 27 minutes remaining.
A goal and an assist against Australia preceded a decisive double to down Denmark and then Poland in the Round of 16, where the defending champions definitively dispelled any lingering threat of the infamous winners' curse.
Such a return has since garnered global acclaim for the frightening forward, who perhaps poses the biggest threat to Paolo Rossi's impressive 40-year-old record.
Rossi scored a tournament-high six goals to lead Italy to a third World Cup crown in Spain, where he also earned the Golden Ball ahead of Falcao and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Many have come and gone since the Torero tore Brazil, Poland, and West Germany apart, but France's all-time top goalscorer, Olivier Giroud, believes the best of Mbappe is still yet to come.
"Kylian is one of the best players I have played with," Giroud said. "He is amazing, which is scary because he can still improve his game, he's very efficient.
"From the beginning of the competition he has been crucial for us. He is very decisive. He is the best striker I have played with.
"We have still not seen the best of Kylian. I hope it is going to come soon. I know my records will be broken by him. He is unbelievable."
Giroud eclipsed the previous national team record against Poland, with Mbappe again providing the assist, though that still wasn’t enough to please coach Didier Deschamps.
"He didn't have his best match," Deschamps said. "He recognises that himself, but he can change a game in a moment – France needed a great Kylian Mbappe and tonight we got one."
Such remarks amidst two goals and an assist signify just how good the Paris Saint-Germain star really is, particularly as the game enters an era less influenced by the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
As it stands, Bruno Fernandes and Messi are best placed to impact Mbappe's historic bid in Qatar, with both Portugal and Argentina preparing for quarter-final berths of their own.
Fernandes has tallied two goals and three assists ahead of the former's meeting with Morocco, while Messi has scored three goals and provided one assist prior to La Albiceleste's battle with the Netherlands.
Messi is no stranger to the Golden Ball, having earned that honour in 2014 after leading Argentina to a final they ultimately lost to Germany in extra-time.
The 35-year-old pipped Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben to the award back then despite failing to add to a total that comprised four goals and a solitary assist before the Round of 16.
James Rodriguez appeared the clear front-runner prior to his quarter-final exit with Colombia but was quickly forgotten by voters thereafter, with a deeper run held in higher regard.
It is for this reason Mbappe must move past England and continue France's quest for a second successive world title. Though undoubtedly his main objective, it would equally unlock two of the most sought-after accolades in international football.
A golden reward for the beautiful game's golden boy.
