How Lionel Messi overtook Kylian Mbappe in the World Cup 2026 Golden Boot Race without scoring

Lionel Messi overtook Kylian Mbappe to take the lead in the thrilling 2026 World Cup Golden Boot race, despite not scoring in Argentina’s 2-1 semifinal victory over England.

Messi and Mbappe are team leaders atop the Golden Boot race with eight goals each; moreover, FIFA’s first tiebreaker rule underlined that the award goes to the player with more assists.

Mbappe led the race against Norway and Morocco but after fading in France's semifinal defeat against Spain, Messi capitalized on the moment.

The Argentine registered a helping hand against Switzerland in the previous two knockout rounds, and after assisting both strikes against England, his tally is high enough to clear Mbappe giving him a slight edge in the race.

For those unversed, Mbappe stands to become the first outstanding player in history to win the World Cup Golden Boot award multiple times.

Messi is now in prime position to incredibly acquire a trophy for the first time in his career. It is crucial to note that both players still stand a realistic chance of winning the Golden Boot race.

Currently, the threat of Erling Haaland is gone but other players such as Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Ousmane Dembele and even Mikel Oyarzabal could clinch the title with one game remaining. Regarding the win, Messi said: “It’s an enormous national team,” Messi said about Spain following the win against England. “With great players, with a style of play. It’s a national team I know well, with a soccer philosophy, since many years ago, they’ve been playing this way.

“I know the players as well, I’ve faced them, I follow them, many of them are with Barça—a team I love and follow. It’s going to be a special match, a World Cup final and obviously, I imagine it’s going to be very even.”