Messi Tops Golden Boot Race Without Scoring Due to FIFA Tiebreak Rules
Lionel Messi has taken the lead in the race for the Golden Boot at the 2026 World Cup despite not scoring in the latest matches. Both Messi and Kylian Mbappé currently have eight goals each, but FIFA's tiebreak criteria award the Golden Boot to the player with more assists. Messi has four assists, one more than Mbappé's three, giving him the edge.
However, the competition is not over. According to tournament rules, goals scored in the third-place playoff, in which Mbappé will participate, also count towards the Golden Boot tally. These matches tend to be high-scoring, potentially allowing Mbappé to surpass Messi. Messi will play in the final against Spain, known for their strong defense.
If goals and assists remain tied, the next tiebreaker is the fewest minutes played. Messi currently leads here as well, having played 59 more minutes than Mbappé due to extra time in Argentina's matches against Cape Verde and Switzerland. The Golden Boot outcome may still change depending on the final matches.
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