Lionel Messi is currently in the lead for the World Cup Golden Boot, but he is being chased hard by Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane also in the mix.
Inter Miami's Argentine forward Lionel Messi poses with the MLS golden boot ahead of the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoff football match between Inter Miami and Nashville SC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Oct 24, 2025. (Photo: AFP/Chandan Khanna)
24 Jun 2026 09:51AM
(Updated: 24 Jun 2026 10:07AM)
KANSAS CITY: Usually a subplot, the race for the World Cup Golden Boot is one of the main talking points at the 2026 tournament as the top marksmen set a blistering pace.The overall record has already been broken by Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, who now has 18 goals over six World Cups after adding five in two games in the United States.But he is being chased hard by Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland - who have four goals apiece - with Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane also in the mix.The long-standing single-tournament record of 13 goals set in 1958 by France's Just Fontaine appears vulnerable.
