Updated

Updated · BBC.com · Jun 22

Messi Matches 16-Goal World Cup Record as Mbappe, Haaland and Kane Extend Hot Starts

Updated

Updated · BBC.com · Jun 22

Messi Matches 16-Goal World Cup Record as Mbappe, Haaland and Kane Extend Hot Starts

Q: Messi just tied the all-time goal record. Can the 39-year-old outscore younger rivals to finally win the Golden Boot?

Yes—Messi has a real chance, but he is not the favorite to finish above Mbappé, Haaland and Kane over a longer tournament. His case is strong. He already leads this World Cup race with three goals after a hat-trick against Algeria, and he has tied Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup record on 16. Argentina’s setup still maximizes him: he is protected physically, given freedom in advanced areas, and surrounded by runners and ball-winners who reduce his workload. If Argentina reach the semi-finals or final in the expanded 48-team format, Messi could get seven or eight matches, enough to build a winning total. The challenge is that the format also helps his younger rivals. Mbappé, Haaland and Kane all opened with two goals, all play in teams expected to create chances consistently, and two of them—Mbappé in 2022 and Kane in 2018—have already shown they can sustain a Golden Boot run. Haaland’s finishing volume, Kane’s penalties and deeper playmaking role, and Mbappé’s pace in transition all make them dangerous over multiple rounds. Age is the main uncertainty. Messi has looked sharp, but at nearly 39 the physical load of an extra knockout round matters, especially if Argentina begin managing his minutes. The Golden Boot tie-breakers also matter: assists come before minutes, so a close race may not be decided by goals alone. Messi can absolutely win it at last, but he will likely need both a deep Argentina run and another burst of goals before the knockout rounds tighten.

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 22

Lionel Messi's hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria lifted him to 16 World Cup goals, level with Miroslav Klose, after Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane had all scored braces.
Mbappe struck twice in France's 3-1 win over Senegal to reach 58 France goals, Haaland scored two in Norway's 4-1 win over Iraq, and Kane netted twice as England beat Croatia 4-2.
Ashley Williams said the four forwards demand different defensive plans: crowd Messi collectively, stay locked in with Mbappe's pace, cut off Haaland's service in behind, and deny Kane shooting space while tracking runners.
The scoring burst has sharpened focus on a star-led tournament week, with Messi facing Austria next, Mbappe meeting Iraq, Haaland taking on Senegal and Kane leading England against Ghana.