The FIFA World Cup Golden Boot has thrown up a range of winners over the years. Some have been established superstars, such as Harry Kane in 2018 and Kylian Mbappe in 2022, while others – like Thomas Muller in 2010 and James Rodriguez in 2014 – have used the tournament to announce themselves to a global audience.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup already presented a series of fascinating storylines before a ball was even kicked. Lionel Messi chasing the all-time World Cup scoring record; Cristiano Ronaldo looking to defy father time and lead Portugal to a maiden title; Mbappe attempting to lead France to a third straight final. Beyond that trio of superstars, there are plenty of others with their eye on this year’s Golden Boot.
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Here, Al Arabiya English explores some of the possible contenders.
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
