Lionel Messi has won just about everything in the game, but the elusive World Cup Golden Boot remains in his sights on final day. Heading into Sundays World Cup final against Spain at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Argentina superstar finds himself chasing down a familiar foe. Thanks to a wild, 10-goal third-place play-off on Saturday, Frances Kylian Mbapp has thrown down the gauntlet by storming to the top of the goalscoring charts.To snatch the trophy from Mbapps grasp, Messi- who sits two goals behind must produce a vintage masterclass in the final. Because Messi has one more assist than the Frenchman, a spectacular hat-trick would win it outright, while a brace would pull him level on goals and potentially secure the award via that assist advantage.Even if the 39-year-old icon falls short of the goalscoring crown, a record-extending third Golden Ball as the tournaments best player seems well within reach. He is already the only player to win the award multiple times since its 1978 inception (in 2014 and 2022), and sparking Argentinas run to a second straight final at his age gives him an undeniable case.He is the history. He is the legend, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said.Table of ContentsThe Golden Boot Race: How the Leaderboard LooksA Clean Sweep of Silverware on the LineThe Golden Boot Race: How the Leaderboard LooksMbapps double in Frances chaotic 6-4 defeat to England made him the first player to hit double digits at a single World Cup since German legend Gerd Mller in 1970. Here is how the top of the leaderboard shapes up ahead of Sundays final:Kylian Mbapp (France) 10 Goals (4 Assists)Status: Tournament complete. His brilliant double against England made him the first player to hit double digits at a single World Cup since 1970.Lionel Messi (Argentina) 8 Goals (4 Assists)Status: Plays in Sundays final against Spain. The iconic playmaker needs a massive performance to close the two-goal gap on his French rival.Jude Bellingham (England) 7 Goals (1 Assist)Status: Tournament complete. Capped off a sensational tournament by netting deep into stoppage time during the third-place thriller.Erling Haaland (Norway) 7 Goals (0 Assists)Status: Eliminated. Bowed out in the quarter-finals but maintained a spectacular goals-to-game ratio early on.Ousmane Dembl (France) 6 Goals (2 Assists)Status: Tournament complete. Added another to his tally during Frances late second-half rally on Saturday.Harry Kane (England) 6 Goals (1 Assist)Status: Tournament complete. The 2018 Golden Boot winner enjoyed another highly productive tournament.Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) 5 Goals (1 Assist)Status: Plays in Sundays final. Spains leading marksman has the chance to climb even higher up the leaderboard against Argentina.Should Messi score the necessary goals to overtake Mbapp and anchor an Argentina victory, he would become the first Golden Boot winner to play for the tournament champions since Brazils Ronaldo netted eight times in 2002.A Clean Sweep of Silverware on the LineThe final will also decide the remaining individual accolades, voted on by the media and FIFAs Technical Study Group. Spain is in a fantastic position to dominate the podium alongside their team ambitions.La Rojas goalkeeper Unai Simn is a heavy favourite for the Golden Glove after an incredible tournament which has included breaking the historic World Cup record for consecutive minutes without conceding. Meanwhile, Spains 19-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal has provided endless dazzle up front, making him the undisputed frontrunner for the Best Young Player Award. Topics Argentina National Football Team Erling Haaland Harry Kane Jude Bellingham Kylian Mbapp Lionel Messi Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read England 6-4 France: World Cup 2026 report, result goals as Saka scores hat-trick and Kylian Mbappe moves above Lionel Messi as top scorer Ben Miller 19th July, 2026 England vs France live: Kylian Mbappe cant believe World Cup 2026 goals as Rice, Konsa and Saka give Three Lions 4-0 first-half lead in play off Ben Miller 18th July, 2026 England vs France live: World Cup 2026 confirmed teams and full line ups as Kylian Mbappe starts and Harry Kane is rested, TV channel, online stream and stats Ben Miller 18th July, 2026 Messi admits World Cup meeting with Yamal crazy after iconic photoshoot Mitch Fretton 18th July, 2026 World Cup final 2026: Messi vs Yamal represents true passing of the torch moment Mitch Fretton 18th July, 2026 England manager favourite Guardiola reveals what would tempt him back: I have a real connection with the UK Ben Miller 17th July, 2026
