Golden Boot race intensifies as Messi breaks World Cup scoring record

Lionel Messi has surpassed Miroslav Klose to become the all-time leading scorer in men’s FIFA World Cup history, securing his position at the top of the 2026 Golden Boot standings with five goals from two matches. The Argentine striker scored a brace against Austria at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, to lead his nation to a 2-0 victory and progression into the knockout stages. His career tally now stands at 18 goals, breaking the previous record of 16 held by the German legend.

The 2026 tournament has witnessed an unprecedented concentration of elite strikers in peak form, with only three players currently boasting four or more goals after two matches. This marks the first time since 1954 that such a scenario has occurred. French forward Kylian Mbappe and Norwegian striker Erling Haaland are tied for second place with four goals each, placing them in direct contention for the award alongside Messi.

Mbappe reached his milestone with a double against Iraq on his 100th international appearance, a match delayed by two hours due to weather conditions. The performance also elevated him to the status of France’s all-time leading goalscorer. Haaland matched this output by scoring twice as Norway defeated Senegal to qualify for the last 32, becoming only the sixth player in history to score multiple goals in each of their first two World Cup appearances. He is now Norway’s leading World Cup scorer after just two games.

England captain Harry Kane remains in the mix after scoring twice against Ghana on the opening day, equalling Gary Lineker’s record for his country. The expanded 48-team format has contributed to a high volume of goals, with experts noting that the inclusion of more lower-ranked teams and an additional round for the eventual winners has increased the potential for individual accolades.

French football expert Julien Laurens observed that the current generation of forwards is driven by a desire to chase both the Golden Boot and historical records. While Messi has taken the headlines, the race is far from settled. Kane, Mbappe, and Haaland all have the opportunity to add to their tallies, with the single-tournament record of 13 goals, set by Just Fontaine in 1958, now within reach for the leading contenders.