fifa-world-cup-2026

Messi Faces Tough Golden Boot Equation After Mbappé Takes the Lead

2:29 pm - July 19, 2026
Sports
fifa-world-cup-2026

Sports Desk: Lionel Messi had been leading the race for the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot thanks to his superior assist tally, despite being level on goals with Kylian Mbappé before the third-place playoff. However, the French captain overtook the Argentine superstar with a brilliant performance after France’s World Cup campaign ended in the semifinals, leaving Messi with a difficult task in the race for the tournament’s top scorer award.

Although France suffered a 6-4 defeat to England in Saturday night’s third-place playoff, Mbappé significantly strengthened his chances of winning the Golden Boot. He scored twice to take his tournament tally to 10 goals, moving to the top of the scoring charts. Messi, meanwhile, has scored eight goals so far.

Even if Messi scores twice against Spain in the final, it would not necessarily be enough to claim the Golden Boot. Under FIFA’s tiebreaking rules, if two players finish level on goals, the first criterion is assists. Mbappé also registered an assist in the third-place playoff, taking his total to four—matching Messi’s assist tally.

If both goals and assists are still tied, the next tiebreaker is the total number of minutes played, with the player who has played fewer minutes ranked higher. Mbappé also holds the advantage in that category. As a result, even if Messi scores two goals in the final without providing an assist, the Golden Boot would still go to the French star.

Argentina and Spain are set to meet in the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday night (1:00 a.m. local Bangladesh time). Alongside the battle for the championship, several individual honors—including the Golden Boot—will also be on the line.

Messi has never won the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot. However, he has claimed the Golden Ball, awarded to the tournament’s best player, a record two times. Mbappé, meanwhile, won the Golden Boot at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after scoring eight goals despite France finishing as runners-up.

With 10 goals in the current tournament, Mbappé has not only taken control of the Golden Boot race but has also surpassed Messi to become the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 22 goals.