Messi Leads FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot Race as Knockout Stage Nears

Argentina captain Lionel Messi sits at the top of the adidas Golden Boot standings after a prolific start to the tournament, including a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening match and further goals during the group stage. Chasing him are players such as Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo as the race for the tournament’s top-scorer award remains closely contested.

Recent performances have also boosted the chances of players including Ousmane Dembélé, whose hat-trick for France strengthened his position among the leading scorers. With the Round of 32 about to begin, the expanded tournament format offers additional opportunities for players to add to their totals and challenge for one of the World Cup’s most prestigious individual honors.

Source: FIFA official updates.