The Golden Boot is awarded to the player who scores the highest number of goals in the Final Competition. In case of equal value between two or more players for this criterion, the assists will have a deciding role (with assistance definitions established by the FIFA Technical Study Group Members). Should there still be a tie situation after including the assistance, the number of minutes played will be used, and the one who has played the lowest number of minutes shall rank first.

Messi currently leads the 2026 Golden Boot standings, having scored five times in Argentina’s opening two matches at the tournament. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner began with a hat-trick against Algeria and then a brace against Austria, breaking the record for the most goals scored in World Cup history along the way by taking his total tally to 18.

After his two goals against Austria, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni said he was “at a loss for words” about Messi. There are plenty of candidates in contention with 48 teams competing at the biggest World Cup ever.