Mbappé Claims the 2026 Golden Boot
Kylian Mbappé finished the 2026 World Cup with 10 goals in eight matches, edging out Lionel Messi to become the first player to win the adidas Golden Boot at consecutive World Cups.
The Final Standings
Mbappé sealed the award with a brace in France's third-place playoff loss to England (read the match context), scoring twice more to reach double figures. Messi finished second on eight goals, two behind — he needed a big night in the final to catch the leader, but Spain shut Argentina out for 90 minutes and won it in extra time instead (Spain's suffocating defensive record).
| Rank | Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kylian Mbappé | France | 10 |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 8 |
| 3 | Jude Bellingham | England | 7 |
A Race Decided Late
The Golden Boot battle stayed live until the tournament's final matches (see how the race stood heading into the semifinals) — goals scored in the third-place playoff count toward the award, which is exactly what let Mbappé pull clear after Messi's Argentina were eliminated. Bellingham finished third on seven, edging Erling Haaland on the assists tiebreaker after both finished level on goals.
For Messi, the runner-up finish on the goalscoring charts came alongside the disappointment of losing the final itself — a bittersweet way to close out what may be his last World Cup (more on what this tournament meant for his legacy).
Frequently Asked Questions
Kylian Mbappé, with 10 goals in eight matches.
Eight goals, finishing second in the Golden Boot race.
No — Mbappé is the first to win it at consecutive World Cups.