Messi Leads Golden Boot Race, Tops FIFA Power Rankings Ahead of World Cup Final

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has taken pole position in the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot after FIFA released its latest player rankings ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated final against Spain.

Messi currently leads the scoring chart with eight goals and four assists, narrowly edging France captain Kylian Mbappe, who has also scored eight goals but has registered only three assists. Under FIFA regulations, assists serve as the first tiebreaker when players finish level on goals.

The two football icons still have opportunities to add to their totals before the tournament concludes. Messi will lead Argentina into the World Cup final against Spain on Sunday, while Mbappe will feature in France’s third-place playoff against England on Saturday.

Golden Boot Race Tightens

Norway striker Erling Haaland remains third on the scoring chart with seven goals despite Norway’s quarter-final elimination.

England duo Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are tied in fourth place with six goals each, while Spain forward Mikel Oyarzabal is the highest-scoring player among the finalists after Messi, with five goals and one assist.

Messi Climbs FIFA Creativity Rankings

In addition to leading the Golden Boot standings, Messi has also surged to the top of FIFA’s Creativity Power Rankings, climbing five places following his impressive two-assist display in Argentina’s 2-1 semi-final victory over England.

The Argentine legend displaced France’s Michael Olise, with Belgium winger Jeremy Doku, Mbappe, and England’s Anthony Gordon completing the top five creative players of the tournament.

Mbappe Still Leads Attacking Rankings

Despite trailing Messi in the Golden Boot race, Mbappe continues to lead FIFA’s Attacking Rankings with an impressive rating of 8.93, ahead of Messi on 8.63 and England midfielder Jude Bellingham on 8.22.

In other positional rankings, Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa remains the tournament’s highest-rated shot-stopper in the “Defending the Goal” category, while England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford tops the “In Possession” rankings ahead of Spain’s Unai Simon.

With the World Cup reaching its climax, all eyes will be on Messi as he seeks to guide Argentina to another world title while strengthening his bid to finish as the tournament’s top scorer. The Golden Boot race remains wide open, promising an exciting conclusion to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.