Messi chases Golden Boot: needs two goals to catch Mbappé at 10 in World Cup final

Lionel Messi heads into the 2026 World Cup final with a double mission: lead Argentina to victory against Spain and claim the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer. Currently on eight goals, the Argentine star needs at least two in Sunday's final at East Rutherford, New Jersey to catch Kylian Mbappé, who reached 10 after scoring twice in France's 6-4 third-place loss to England.

Mbappé became the first player to score 10 goals in a single World Cup since Germany great Gerd Müller in 1970. The French striker, who also won the Golden Boot in Qatar 2022, could join the likes of Italy's Salvatore Schillaci (1990), Croatia's Davor Šuker (1998), and Germany's Thomas Müller (2010) — players whose goals in a third-place game carried them to the top scorer award.

For Messi, who has won virtually everything in soccer, the Golden Boot is one prize that has eluded him. Never the leading scorer at a World Cup, the 39-year-old would become the first Golden Boot winner to play for the champion since Ronaldo scored eight goals when Brazil won the title in 2002.

Messi is also chasing a record-extending third Golden Ball as the tournament's best player, having won it in 2014 and 2022. "He is history. He is the legend," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said.

Also to be awarded are the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper — Spain's Unai Simón has conceded only one goal in seven matches — and the Best Young Player award, where 19-year-old Lamine Yamal has dazzled up front and is already considered one of the world's most promising talents.

The Argentina vs Spain final will decide not only the world champion but also the individual award winners.

Sources

• https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-golden-boot-awards-messi-mbappe-2036d505bc97ce3a116f20dd67db43e5