Messi Tops World Cup Golden Boot Race After Hat-Trick as Mbappe, Haaland Close In

MEXICO CITY — Lionel Messi surged to the top of the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot after scoring a hat-trick, strengthening his bid to finish as the tournament’s leading scorer.

The Argentina captain’s clinical display has propelled him ahead of a star-studded field of contenders as the expanded 48-team tournament gathers momentum across North America.

The Golden Boot, awarded to the World Cup’s top scorer, remains one of football’s most coveted individual honours, recognising attacking excellence on the sport’s biggest stage. While lifting the World Cup trophy remains the ultimate objective for competing nations, the award offers forwards a chance to cement their place among football’s greatest goalscorers.

Messi’s latest feat has intensified competition for the prize, with France forward Kylian Mbappe and Norway striker Erling Haaland also making strong starts to their campaigns. Mbappe, who claimed the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup, is aiming to retain the award while leading France’s pursuit of another appearance in the final.

Haaland, making his mark for Norway, is among several elite forwards hoping to challenge the established favourites. England captain Harry Kane, who won the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup, also remains in contention as England seek a first World Cup triumph since 1966.

Several other players have emerged as potential challengers in the early stages of the tournament, including Germany’s Kai Havertz, Tunisia’s Youssef Ayari, United States forward Folarin Balogun and New Zealand striker Elijah Just.

The battle for the award is expected to intensify as the group stage progresses and teams advance to the knockout rounds, where additional matches provide opportunities for leading scorers to add to their tallies.

The Golden Boot has historically been won by some of football’s most celebrated names, including Ronaldo of Brazil, Eusebio, Gerd Muller, Gary Lineker and Miroslav Klose, the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer.

With matches being played across the United States, Canada and Mexico, the race to join that distinguished list is shaping up to be one of the tournament’s most closely watched individual contests.

Players and Countries Represented:

• Lionel Messi — Argentina
• Kylian Mbappe — France
• Erling Haaland — Norway
• Harry Kane — England
• Kai Havertz — Germany
• Youssef Ayari — Tunisia
• Folarin Balogun — United States
• Elijah Just — New Zealand

Also Read: EU Welcomes US-Iran Deal to End Middle East War, Reopen Strait of Hormuz

admin

A Lagos-based journalist with a passion for disseminating factual information and a deep appreciation for good music, good food, movies, and beautiful cars. He hopes to travel the world someday, documenting its beauty and diverse cultures through his storytelling.