Why Kylian Mbappe leads Lionel Messi in Golden Boot race despite both scoring the same number of goals

Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are also the only players in history to score at least seven goals in consecutive World Cup editions.

Updated on: Jul 5, 2026, 12:56:34 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

In a game dominated by physical battles and simmering tempers over more than 100 minutes in Philadelphia, Kylian Mbappe made the decisive impact. The France captain converted from the penalty spot in the 70th minute against Paraguay in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 to seal a 1-0 win and book Les Bleus' quarterfinal clash against Morocco next Thursday in Boston.

Both Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi scored seven goals each

The goal was Mbappé's 19th in World Cup history from just 19 appearances, leaving him one strike away from equalling Lionel Messi's all-time tournament record.

Messi had become the first player to score 20 World Cup goals after netting against Cape Verde in Argentina's 3-2 Round of 32 win earlier this week, overtaking Miroslav Klose in the process.

The two superstars now lead the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot with seven goals each. They are also the only players in history to score at least seven goals in consecutive World Cup editions. Yet, despite being level on goals, Mbappé currently sits above Messi in the standings. Why?

ALSO READ: Paraguay showed France can be rattled. Morocco should take the lesson, not the tactics

Why is Mbappé ahead of Messi?

According to the FIFA World Cup 2026 regulations, if two or more players finish with the same number of goals, the first tiebreaker is assists, as determined by FIFA's Technical Study Group.

Mbappé has registered two assists in the tournament, while Messi is yet to record one. That gives the France captain the edge in the Golden Boot standings.

It is not the first time assists have separated players in the race. At the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Thomas Müller, Wesley Sneijder, David Villa and Diego Forlán all finished with five goals. Müller ultimately won the Golden Boot because he had three assists, more than the other contenders.

What happens if goals and assists are equal?

If players remain tied on both goals and assists, FIFA uses total minutes played as the next tiebreaker. The player who has played fewer minutes is ranked higher, rewarding greater scoring efficiency.

Who else is in the Golden Boot race?

With the Round of 16 only just underway and the quarterfinals, semifinals and final still to come, the race for the Golden Boot is far from over.

Mbappé currently leads the standings with seven goals and two assists, while Messi is second with seven goals but no assists. Norway striker Erling Haaland sits third with five goals, ahead of England captain Harry Kane, who also has five. Haaland is ranked higher because he has played fewer minutes, the tournament's second tiebreaker after assists.

Reigning Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé rounds out the top five with four goals and two assists.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Durand Cup Final Live. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.