Mbappe Wins 2nd Straight World Cup Golden Boot With 10 Goals

Q: Mbappé claimed the scoring crown, but can Messi achieve the ultimate prize: a second consecutive World Cup title?

Yes — Messi can still secure the bigger prize, but Argentina face a formidable test against Spain in Sunday’s final. Argentina are one win away from back-to-back World Cup titles after lifting the trophy in Qatar in 2022. If they beat Spain at MetLife Stadium, they would become the first nation in 64 years to retain the men’s World Cup and only the third ever to do so, after Italy and Brazil. Messi, now 39, would also add a second World Cup crown and strengthen an already unmatched international résumé. The case for Argentina starts with Messi’s influence. He has eight goals and four assists in this tournament, more goal contributions than any other player, and he has repeatedly delivered in decisive moments. Argentina have also shown resilience throughout the knockout rounds, scoring 12 of their 19 goals after the 75th minute and extending a long winning run in major tournaments. But Mbappé’s record does not change the scale of the challenge awaiting Messi. Spain arrive as European champions, unbeaten in 37 matches since March 2024, and have conceded only once in this World Cup. Their control-heavy, high-tempo style has made them the tournament’s most complete side, and forecasting models have slightly favored Spain. So Messi has not matched Mbappé’s new scoring mark yet, but the ultimate prize remains within reach. If Argentina beat Spain, Messi will have achieved what matters most: another World Cup title, and a historic second in a row.

3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 19

10 goals gave Kylian Mbappe a second consecutive World Cup Golden Boot, the first back-to-back winner in men's or women's tournament history.
Two goals in France's 6-4 third-place loss to England pushed Mbappe past Lionel Messi, who finished with eight goals after the pair entered the weekend level on goals and assists.
Messi and Mbappe were also locked in a scoring duel in 2022, when Mbappe won the Golden Boot 8-7 but Argentina beat France on penalties in the final.
The 2026 scoring table ended with Jude Bellingham on seven goals and Erling Haaland also on seven, while Mbappe became the first French repeat Golden Boot winner since the award began in 1982.