The 2022 World Cup is being whittled down to its final—and its golden boot race is effectively down to four players.
With Argentina awaiting the winner of France and Morocco’s semifinal, the scoring chart is coming into focus. After Julián Álvarez’s double in the semifinal vs. Croatia—he became the youngest player (22 years, 316 days) since Brazilian legend Pelé in 1958 (17 years, 249 days) to achieve such a feat at the World Cup—there figures to be a four-man race for the scoring crown.
Before the second semifinal is played, PSG teammates and potential World Cup final adversaries Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé top the golden boot race with five goals apiece. On their heels are Álvarez and France forward Olivier Giroud, with four apiece. For Giroud, who became France’s all-time men’s leading goalscorer during this tournament after passing Thierry Henry, his presence on this list is impressive on a number of levels. It comes after reigning Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, who was expected to lead the line for France, was ruled out of the competition through injury. It also comes four years after Giroud went goalless in Russia, despite his role in France’s overall machine being widely praised and lauded.
