Golden Boot Race Heats Up

By Aditya Rao — 16 July 2026 — 3 min read

Golden Boot Race Heats Up

The race for the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot is reaching its climax, with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé currently tied at the top of the standings. Both players have scored an equal number of goals, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.

The Golden Boot award is given to the player who scores the most goals in the World Cup. If players are tied on goals, the first tiebreaker is the number of assists. If still tied, the award goes to the player with the fewest minutes played.

As of July 15, Messi and Mbappé are level on goals. Messi has four assists, while Mbappé has three. This assist advantage currently places Messi in a favorable position for the award, though the final matches could still alter the outcome.

Contenders Still in Play

While Messi and Mbappé lead, other players still have a mathematical chance to claim the Golden Boot. France is scheduled to play England in the third-place match, providing Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Harry Kane with an additional opportunity to increase their goal tallies.

Goals scored in the third-place match are counted towards the Golden Boot race. Therefore, Messi’s potential win will depend on the performances in that match. Should Mbappé not score against England, Messi is likely to secure the award, unless Bellingham, Kane, Ousmane Dembélé of France, or Mikel Oyarzabal of Spain deliver exceptional performances.

Historically, no player has won the Golden Boot twice, and Messi has yet to claim this particular award in his career. The 2022 winner was Mbappé, who scored eight goals in that tournament.

Messi’s Consistent Performance

Messi’s strong showing in the current tournament has been marked by consistency. He has been a key contributor to Argentina’s offensive efforts throughout their title defense, demonstrating his impact in crucial matches.

In the semi-final against England, Messi provided two assists in Argentina’s 2-1 comeback victory. These assists were instrumental in securing Argentina’s place in the final for the second consecutive time. His career total for World Cup assists is a record since detailed tournament records began in 1966.

Messi has also maintained an extraordinary streak, either scoring or assisting in consecutive World Cup matches, a record unmatched in the same period. This consistent performance has positioned him at the forefront of the Golden Boot standings.

Argentina will face Spain in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium, where both the tournament trophy and individual honors will be decided. Messi’s current lead in the Golden Boot standings could be further solidified with another goal or assist in the final match.

Despite Messi’s advantage, the race remains technically open, with his closest rivals still having one more game to play in the third-place playoff.

Other notable contenders include Erling Haaland, who scored seven goals, but is no longer in contention following Norway’s elimination from the quarter-finals. Oyarzabal has five goals and one assist, while Dembélé has five goals and two assists. Kane has six goals and one assist, and Bellingham also has six goals and one assist, with fewer minutes played than Kane.

The 2026 World Cup has been noted for its high-scoring nature, with Messi and Mbappé already tied on eight goals each, a total that has only been surpassed on five previous occasions for a single winner. The tournament concludes on a later date.

Source: eu.usatoday.com