Argentina captain Lionel Messi has moved ahead of France forward Kylian Mbappe in the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot after helping his side book a place in the final.
Messi provided two assists as Argentina defeated France 2-1 in the semi-finals, taking his assist tally to four while remaining tied with Mbappe on eight goals.
Mbappe, who scored eight goals during France’s run to the last four, has three assists, leaving him behind
Messi on the tiebreaker used to determine the tournament’s top scorer when players finish level on goals.
The 39-year-old Inter Miami star now leads the Golden Boot standings ahead of Sunday’s final, where Argentina will face European champions Spain.
Mbappe, 27, will still have an opportunity to reclaim the lead when France face England in the third-place playoff on Friday.
A goal against England would move the Real Madrid forward ahead of Messi, while an assist could also prove decisive if both players finish with the same goal tally.
Messi, meanwhile, will have one final chance to extend his advantage when Argentina take on Spain in the World Cup final on July 19.
With both players still guaranteed one more match, the battle for the tournament’s top scorer remains one of the key storylines heading into the closing weekend of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
