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The race for the Golden Boot at the 2026 World Cup has become one of the tournament's main storylines, with top scorers setting a blistering pace. Argentina's Lionel Messi leads with 5 goals after two matches, having scored a hat-trick against Algeria and a double against Austria Source: Infobae. This brings his career World Cup tally to either 17 or 18 goals, as sources differ Source: Infobae vs El Nacional.
The single-tournament record of 13 goals, set by France's Just Fontaine in 1958, appears vulnerable Source: Channel News Asia. Gerd Müller (1970) was the last to reach double figures with 10. Messi, at 39, is showing no signs of slowing down.
“A sus 39 años, Lionel Messi se resiste a ceder el trono del fútbol mundial. El astro argentino ha comenzado esta Copa del Mundo con un nivel superlativo y lidera en solitario la tabla de artilleros con 5 goles en apenas dos partidos disputados.”
“Messi reina con tranquilidad... anotó un triplete ante Argelia antes de firmar un doblete en la victoria por 2-0 frente a Austria, lo que explica su actual cuenta goleadora con los campeones del mundo.”
“The overall record has already been broken by Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, who now has 18 goals over six World Cups after adding five in two games in the United States.”
“El principal perseguidor de Messi es Mbappé, que hace cuatro años en Catar conquistó la Bota de Oro con ocho goles y ahora ya suma cuatro en dos partidos.”
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