After five goals in just two group stage matches, Lionel Messi is making an early and emphatic statement at the 2026 World Cup in the United States.
The 39-year-old Argentine legend opened his account with a hat-trick against Algeria in Argentina’s first group game, announcing his presence at the tournament in stunning fashion.
He then backed that up with a brace against Austria, as Argentina secured another comfortable victory to move through the group stage in strong form.
Remarkably, Messi has scored every single one of Argentina’s five goals so far, underlining just how central he remains to his nation’s World Cup ambitions.
The Inter Miami forward won the World Cup back in 2022, and he will no doubt be eyeing the chance to lift the trophy once again while also challenging for individual honours.
His closest challengers for the Golden Boot are Kylian Mbappe of France and Erling Haaland of Norway, both of whom have found the net four times already.
Germany’s Deniz Undav and Canada’s Jonathan David are also among the early frontrunners, each having scored three goals heading into the later stages of the group phase.
Cristiano Ronaldo sits further back with two goals, having finally got on the scoresheet twice in Portugal’s comfortable 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan, and he cannot be entirely ruled out.
Of the chasing pack, Mbappe appears the most likely threat to Messi, given that France are widely considered one of the favourites to reach the latter stages of the tournament.
Haaland is level with Mbappe on four goals, but Norway are considered less likely to advance as deep into the tournament, which could limit his scoring opportunities going forward.
More games in the knockout rounds will naturally benefit players from stronger nations, which is why Jonathan David’s impressive start may not translate into a serious Golden Boot challenge for Canada.
It was Messi versus Mbappe in the World Cup final back in 2022, and the Golden Boot race this summer looks increasingly like a two-horse race between those same two superstars.
