Lionel Messi<\/a>\u2019s quest for a historic back-to-back championship with Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a> comes amid an epic Golden Boot race.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Inter Miami CF<\/a>\u2019s legendary No. 10 is neck-and-neck with fellow superstars Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 (France), Erling Haaland (Norway) and Harry Kane (England) for top goalscoring honors, adding even more intrigue to this summer\u2019s tournament.\u00a0<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how the chase for the World Cup Golden Boot stands before Messi and Argentina take on Egypt in the Round of 16 on Tuesday (12 pm ET | FOX, Telemundo, Peacock).\u00a0<\/p>\n Note: FIFA uses the following tiebreakers to determine the Golden Boot winner:<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n Mbapp\u00e9 has been electric for France, scoring a pair of braces in the Group Stage and adding another two goals in their 3-0 rout<\/a> of Sweden in the Round of 32 before scoring the lone penalty-kick goal in a 1-0 victory<\/a> over Paraguay in the Round of 16.<\/p>\n A 2018 champion with Les Bleus, Mbapp\u00e9 is up to 19 career World Cup goals \u2013 one shy of Messi for the all-time record.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n PURE BRILLIANCE FROM MBAPP\u00c9 \ud83d\udd25 pic.twitter.com\/3nF3pB4AnF<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 30, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Messi is enjoying a historic World Cup<\/a> at age 39, becoming the tournament\u2019s all-time leading scorer (20 goals) while finding the back of the net for a record eight consecutive games \u2013 dating back to Argentina\u2019s run to the 2022 title in Qatar.<\/p>\n He started with a hat trick vs. Algeria and has also found the net vs. Austria, Jordan and Cape Verde (Round of 32).<\/p>\n This comes after Messi reached the MLS season pause with a league-best 20 goal contributions (12g\/8a) for Miami. He’s chasing a third straight Landon Donovan MLS MVP award.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n 8 straight FIFA World Cup matches with a goal for Leo Messi \ud83d\ude31<\/p>\n He extends his incredible record to give Argentina the lead pic.twitter.com\/5bdFNwZlGR<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2014 FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 3, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Already a global star with Manchester City, Haaland has become a household name in the United States this summer thanks to his magnetic personality and goal-scoring prowess.<\/p>\n Both were on full display during Norway\u2019s 2-1 win<\/a> over Brazil in the Round of 16, with Haaland scoring a stunning brace and leading the country\u2019s Viking Row celebration<\/a> after their historic knockout-stage victory.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 5, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n England\u2019s all-time leading scorer, Kane has kept the goals coming for the Three Lions this summer.<\/p>\n The Bayern Munich striker has scored in four of his five starts, producing a vital 1g\/1a as England edged co-hosts Mexico in an epic 3-2 Round of 16 victory<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 6, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
1. Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 (France) – 7 goals, 2 assists, 482 minutes<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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2. Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 7 goals, 0 assists, 361 minutes<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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3. Erling Haaland (Norway) – 7 goals, 0 assists, 416 minutes<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
4. Harry Kane (England) – 6 goals, 1 assist, 489 minutes<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n