Messi at Seven: The Golden Boot Race Entering the Round of 16 Has Never Been Closer
Lionel Messi's goal against Cape Verde takes him to seven for the tournament — extending his all-time World Cup record to 20 career goals — with Mbappé one behind and Haaland and Kane both on five as the last 16 begins.
⚽ Play today's FootWord while you read — freeThe Round of 16 opens with Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot standings on seven goals — one clear of Kylian Mbappé on six, and two ahead of Erling Haaland and Harry Kane who are level on five. The lead is comfortable enough to be real and slim enough to disappear in a single evening. Mbappé plays France's Round of 16 tie with Paraguay today; Haaland faces Brazil on Sunday. The numbers will look different by Monday.
What makes Messi's lead more than just a statistic is the record attached to it. His goal against Cape Verde was his 20th World Cup goal across his career — the first time any player has reached that landmark. He has also scored in eight consecutive World Cup appearances, extending a streak of his own that no competitor in this tournament or in football history can match. The Golden Boot race is about who finishes highest; the record race is about something that will last forever.
Mbappé is the likeliest challenger. Six goals in five games, France's Round of 16 opponent is Paraguay — the same side who dramatically eliminated Germany on penalties — and Mbappé tends to score in the matches that matter. Kane is the dark horse: England meet Spain in a blockbuster last-16 tie and the Bayern Munich striker has found a goal in every knockout game so far. Messi leads. But the race is far from settled.
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