Messi moves back in front as World Cup Golden Boot race tightens

Lionel Messi is currently ahead in the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot race after reaching seven goals. His latest goal in Argentina’s win over Cape Verde moved him one clear of Kylian Mbappe.

The contest for tournament top scorer is still open, with Harry Kane and Erling Haaland also part of the chasing group. Ousmane Dembele, Vinicius Jr and Cristiano Ronaldo are listed among other names in contention, underlining how many major forwards remain relevant in the race.

Beyond the Golden Boot itself, several scoring milestones have already shifted. Messi and Mbappe have both gone beyond Miroslav Klose’s former all-time World Cup mark of 16 goals, Kane has passed Gary Lineker as England’s leading World Cup scorer, and Haaland has become Norway’s top scorer at the tournament.

The single-tournament benchmark remains Just Fontaine’s 13 goals from 1958. With Messi on seven at this stage, the record is still distant, but the pace of the leading scorers keeps it part of the wider conversation as the tournament continues.