•Mbappe and Messi
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has moved to the top of the goalscoring chart at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the race for the Golden Boot intensifies.
The 39-year-old reclaimed first place after scoring in Argentina’s dramatic 3-2 extra-time win over Cape Verde in the Round of 32 yesterday.
The goal extended his scoring streak to eight consecutive World Cup matches, dating back to the 2022 edition in Qatar.
France captain Kylian Mbappé sits one goal behind Messi after netting twice in France’s 3-0 win over Sweden in the Round of 32.
Mbappé had already scored braces against Senegal and Iraq during the group stage and remains in contention to retain the Golden Boot he won at the 2022 World Cup.
The French forward’s two assists at this year’s tournament could also prove crucial if the Golden Boot race is decided on tie-breakers.
1. Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 7 goals
2. Kylian Mbappé (France) – 6 goals
T-3. Erling Haaland (Norway) – 5 goals
T-3. Harry Kane (England) – 5 goals
T-4. Ousmane Dembele (France) – 4 goals
T-4. Vinícius Júnior (Brazil) – 4 goals
T-4. Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) – 4 goals
5. Johan Manzambi (Switzerland) – 3 goals
6. Julián Quiñones (Mexico) – 3 goals
