The race for the 2022 World Cup Golden Boot will come to an end as Argentina and France face off in the final in Qatar.
A number of players are aiming to join an illustrious list of individuals to have claimed the World Cup alongside the Golden Boot - the most recent being Brazilian icon Ronaldo in 2002. Current holder Harry Kane has dropped out of contention to claim the award with England having been eliminated at the quarter final stage with just two goals to his name.
Ahead of the final, there are currently four contenders to end the tournament as the top scorer with Argentine hero Lionel Messi and French forward Kylian Mbappe the front-runners. Mirror Sport takes a look at all of the players in the running and what they need to do to claim the Golden Boot on Sunday:
Lionel Messi (five goals, three assists)
The current leading candidate for the Golden Boot, Messi has enjoyed a sensational tournament. The 35-year-old has five goals and three assists to his name in just six outings.
He has scored in every single game but one - that coming in Argentina's final group game against Poland. His latest outing was arguably his best of the tournament so far having given Argentina the lead from the penalty spot against Croatia before teeing up teammate Julian Alvarez with a sensational run.
Should none of his competitors find the net in the final then Messi will likely secure the Golden Boot - ties being decided by courtesy of who has the most assists. Meanwhile, should Messi find the back of the net, it appears highly likely that he will claim the first-ever World Cup Golden Boot of his career to go along with the numerous Ballon d’Or s and Pichichi’s that he has claimed previously.
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Kylian Mbappe (five goals, two assists)
Having netted four goals during France’s successful campaign in 2018, Mbappe has already gone one better having accumulated five goals throughout the tournament. Unlike Messi though, the 23-year-old has not quite been as threatening.
His five goals have come in just three games having notched braces against the likes of Denmark and Poland. Meanwhile, the PSG forward has failed to score in each of his last two games against England and Morocco.
The Frenchman needs to get on the scoresheet and hope his club teammate Messi doesn’t to guarantee himself the Golden Boot. Should both players get on the scoresheet then Mbappe will likely have to accumulate a couple of assists in the final to secure the award.
Julian Alvarez (four goals)
One of the breakout stars of the World Cup, the Manchester City youngster has continued the promising displays at the Etihad Stadium over in Qatar. The 22-year-old has seven goals to his name in his first season since arriving from River Plate.
That form was good enough to see Alvarez earn a place in Lionel Scaloni’s squad for the World Cup. He started on the bench at the tournament but soon earned a place in the starting line-up against Poland and has gone on to net four goals in as many games since.
Regardless of his excellent showings, he has a lot of work ahead of him should he hope to claim the Golden Boot. He will likely need to score a minimum of two goals in the final due to his inferior assists count but the fact that he is even a contender is a mark of the exciting young player Alvarez already is.
Olivier Giroud (four goals)
From one young striker to a veteran of the game, Olivier Giroud has enjoyed a stunning tournament. After being handed a starting berth at the tournament due to the injury suffered by Karim Benzema, the Frenchman has arguably been one of the standout performers in Qatar.
The 36-year-old became his country’s record signing with a strike against Poland and then ended up scoring the winner in the quarter-final showdown with England. His form has been even more remarkable considering that he actually failed to get on the scoresheet - or even get a shot on target - during the 2018 tournament.
Like Alvarez, he will likely have to score twice in the final and hope his competitors do not register if he stands any chance of claiming the Golden Boot or indeed get on the scoresheet and get a hat-trick of assists.
