Lionel Messi has taken back control of a star-studded Golden Boot race at World Cup 2026, ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
Messi registered a late goal and an assist as the current holders fought back from 2-0 down with just 11 minutes to go to defeat Egypt 3-2 with an astonishing last-16 comeback in Atlanta on Tuesday.
Messi is the first player in history to notch in six successive World Cup knockout games, having already surpassed Miroslav Klose at this tournament as the leading goalscorer in finals history.
Mbappe had initially drawn level with Messi thanks to his match-winning penalty against Paraguay, though topped the standings courtesy of his two assists.
The following evening, Haaland added to his late winner against Ivory Coast in the round of 32 with two goals to dump out Brazil in a huge upset.
Harry Kane is also firmly in the Golden Boot hunt after netting his sixth goal of this World Cup from the penalty spot as 10-man England produced a stunning win over co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca.
Here are the latest Golden Boot standings for the 2026 World Cup...
World Cup 2026 top scorers
Position |
Player |
Nation |
Goals |
Assists |
1 |
Lionel Messi |
Argentina |
8 |
1 |
=2 |
Kylian Mbappe |
France |
7 |
2 |
=2 |
Erling Haaland |
Norway |
7 |
0 |
4 |
Harry Kane |
England |
6 |
1 |
=5 |
Ousmane Dembele |
France |
4 |
2 |
=5 |
Jude Bellingham |
England |
4 |
1 |
=5 |
Vinicius Jr |
Brazil |
4 |
1 |
=5 |
Julian Quinones |
Mexico |
4 |
1 |
=5 |
Mikel Oyarzabal |
Spain |
4 |
1 |
=5 |
Ismaila Sarr |
Senegal |
4 |
1 |
Table correct as of July 7, 2026.
