Messi Tops Golden Boot Race Without Scoring Due to FIFA Tiebreak Rules
Lionel Messi has taken the lead in the Golden Boot race at the 2026 World Cup despite not scoring in the latest matches. Both Messi and Kylian Mbappe 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 Mbappe's three, giving him the edge.
The competition is not yet decided, as goals scored in the third-place playoff, where Mbappe will play, also count toward the award. These matches tend to be high-scoring, potentially allowing Mbappe to surpass Messi. Meanwhile, Messi will compete 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 due to extra time in Argentina's matches against Cape Verde and Switzerland. The Golden Boot race remains open as the tournament concludes.
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