Lionel Messi takes lead in Golden Boot race ahead of World Cup final
Lionel Messi leads the adidas Golden Boot race at the FIFA World Cup 2026, ahead of Kylian Mbappé due to his higher assist count despite both having eight goals. Messi’s two assists in Argentina’s semifinal win against England helped him reclaim the top spot, while Mbappé seeks to improve his tally in the upcoming third-place match.
Photo: FIFA
The race for the adidas Golden Boot at the FIFA World Cup 2026 is set for a dramatic finish, with Lionel Messi reclaiming the lead just one match before the tournament concludes.
Although the Argentina captain did not score in his team’s 2-1 semifinal victory over England, two assists proved enough to move him ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappé in the tiebreaker. Both stars remain tied on eight goals, but Messi now leads the standings thanks to his superior assist total.
With Argentina preparing to face Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final, Messi has the opportunity to extend his lead and potentially secure the tournament’s top scorer award while chasing another world title.
Messi edges Mbappé before the final
The Golden Boot race has mirrored the battle between two of football’s biggest stars throughout the tournament.
Messi’s playmaking performance against England elevated him to the top of the standings after collecting his third and fourth assists of the competition. Under FIFA’s tiebreaking rules, assists are the first deciding factor when players finish level on goals.
Mbappé, meanwhile, was unable to add to his tally during France’s semifinal loss to Spain. The French captain will still have one final opportunity to improve his numbers when Les Bleus face England in the third-place match before Sunday’s championship game.
Golden Boot standings
Heading into the tournament’s final weekend, the leading scorers are:
- Lionel Messi (Argentina): 8 goals, 4 assists
- Kylian Mbappé (France): 8 goals, 3 assists
- Erling Haaland (Norway): 7 goals
- Harry Kane (England): 6 goals
- Jude Bellingham (England): 6 goals
Haaland’s campaign ended in the quarterfinals following Norway’s elimination, leaving Messi and Mbappé as the clear favorites for the award.
How the Golden Boot is decided
The adidas Golden Boot is presented to the player who finishes the FIFA World Cup as the tournament’s leading scorer.
If two or more players are tied on goals, FIFA first uses assists as the tiebreaker. Should players remain level after that, the award is decided by total minutes played, with the player who accumulated fewer minutes finishing ahead.
With one match remaining for Argentina and Spain, and one final appearance left for France and England in the third-place playoff, the Golden Boot race remains open.
For now, however, Messi sits at the top and is one step closer to adding another individual accolade to an already historic World Cup campaign.
