Messi Leads 2026 World Cup Golden Boot Race After Round Two
Margaret ABAH
By Margaret Abah
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has emerged as the leading contender for the Golden Boot award at the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the completion of the second round of group-stage matches.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner tops the scoring chart with five goals, placing him ahead of the competition as the race for the tournament’s highest goal scorer intensifies.
Messi opened his campaign with a hat-trick before adding two more goals in Argentina’s second group-stage fixture, taking his tally to five goals without an assist.
France skipper Kylian Mbappé and Norway forward Erling Haaland are tied on four goals each. Mbappé occupies second place, while Haaland is third, with FIFA’s tiebreak rules on minutes played separating the two players. Neither has recorded an assist so far in the tournament.
Germany’s Deniz Undav sits fourth with three goals and two assists, while Canada’s Jonathan David rounds out the top five with three goals.
Top 10 Golden Boot Standings After Round Two
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 5 goals, 0 assists
- Kylian Mbappé (France) – 4 goals, 0 assists
- Erling Haaland (Norway) – 4 goals, 0 assists
- Deniz Undav (Germany) – 3 goals, 2 assists
- Jonathan David (Canada) – 3 goals, 0 assists
- Crysencio Summerville (Netherlands) – 2 goals, 1 assist
- Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) – 2 goals, 1 assist
- Maxi Araújo (Uruguay) – 2 goals, 1 assist
- Ayase Ueda (Japan) – 2 goals, 1 assist
- Cody Gakpo (Netherlands) – 2 goals, 1 assist
Other notable players on the scoring chart include Vinícius Júnior of Brazil, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, Harry Kane of England, Mohamed Salah of Egypt, Alexander Isak of Sweden and Ousmane Dembélé of France as the battle for the Golden Boot continues.
