2026 World Cup: Messi Overtakes Mbappé in Top Scorer Race

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has moved ahead of France forward Kylian Mbappé in the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot after helping his country qualify for the tournament’s final.

Messi provided two assists as Argentina came from behind to defeat England 2-1 in Wednesday’s semi-final, taking his assist tally to four while remaining level with Mbappé on eight goals.

Although both players have scored eight times at the tournament, Messi now leads the Golden Boot standings because he has recorded more assists than the France captain.

Mbappé, who inspired France’s run to the semi-finals with eight goals, has registered three assists, leaving him behind the Argentine on FIFA’s tiebreak criteria for determining the competition’s leading scorer.

The 39-year-old Inter Miami forward will now head into Sunday’s World Cup final against European champions Spain with the advantage in one of the tournament’s most closely watched individual contests.

However, the race is far from over.

Mbappé will have an opportunity to reclaim top spot when France face England in Friday’s third-place play-off.

A goal against the Three Lions would move the Real Madrid star ahead of Messi in the standings, while an additional assist could also prove decisive if both players finish the tournament with the same number of goals.

Messi, meanwhile, will have one final opportunity to strengthen his position when Argentina take on Spain in the World Cup final on July 19.

The Argentine captain has enjoyed another outstanding tournament, combining goals with creative brilliance to lead the defending champions back to the final as they seek to retain the title they won in Qatar four years ago.

With both Messi and Mbappé still guaranteed one more appearance before the competition concludes, the battle for the Golden Boot remains one of the major storylines heading into the final weekend of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Football fans around the world will now be watching closely to see whether Messi can finish as the tournament’s leading scorer or if Mbappé can stage one final comeback in the race for the prestigious individual award.