Golden Boot race tight as Messi and Mbappé head into final matches
16.07.2026
The 2026 World Cup Golden Boot race is intensifying as the tournament approaches its conclusion, with Lionel Messi of Argentina and Kylian Mbappé of France currently tied for the lead in goals scored. Both players have eight goals each, setting the stage for a dramatic finish as they participate in their final matches.
Argentina secured a 2-1 semi-final victory over England, allowing Messi to compete for the Golden Boot in the final. This marks Argentina‘s second consecutive World Cup final appearance, as they aim to become the first team since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win back-to-back titles. Mbappé’s France, however, will play England in the third-place match after a 2-0 semi-final loss to Spain.
The Golden Boot is awarded to the player with the most goals. If there is a tie in goals, the player with more assists is given the award. If both goals and assists are tied, the player who has played fewer minutes receives the trophy. Currently, Messi holds an advantage with four assists compared to Mbappé’s three. Messi has played 712 minutes, while Mbappé has played 666 minutes.
Contenders for the Golden Boot
While Messi and Mbappé lead the scoring charts, other players still have a mathematical chance to contend for the award. Jude Bellingham of England and Harry Kane, also from England, are among those who could still impact the standings. Goals scored in the third-place match are counted towards the Golden Boot race, meaning Mbappé will have an additional opportunity to add to his tally.
Erling Haaland of Norway had scored seven goals, but his team has been eliminated from the tournament, making it impossible for him to win the award. Ousmane Dembélé of France and Mikel Oyarzabal of Spain each have five goals and would require exceptional performances in their remaining matches to challenge the leaders.
The competition has been notable for its high scoring, with two players already reaching eight goals, a rare occurrence in the tournament’s history. This edition of the World Cup features 16 more teams and 40 more matches compared to the 2022 tournament, contributing to an increased number of goals.
Historical Context of the Award
The Golden Boot has a rich history, with past winners including Just Fontaine, who set a record of 13 goals in 1958. Other notable recipients include Gerd Müller, Ronaldo, and Miroslav Klose. Mbappé was the winner in 2022 with eight goals, while Messi has not yet claimed this particular award in his career.
The tie-breaking rules for the Golden Boot have evolved over time. Since 1992, assists have been used as the primary tie-breaker. In 2006, a further tie-breaker was introduced, awarding the honor to the player who scored their goals in the fewest minutes if both goals and assists are equal. This system was notably used in 2010 when Thomas Müller won the award over David Villa, Diego Forlán, and Wesley Sneijder due to his higher assist count.
The final matches will determine the ultimate winner of the Golden Boot, with the award set to be handed out upon the tournament’s conclusion on July 19.
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Source: eu.usatoday.com
Ishaan Kapoor
Sports correspondent covering cricket, football and international competitions.