THE World Cup has come to an unwanted end with Spain crowned global kings for the second time after victory over Argentina.
Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi went head-to-head in the race for the golden boot as the tournament reached an epic climax.
Kylian Mbappe won the Golden Boot in 2022, despite losing the final Credit: Getty
A young Thomas Muller won the Golden Boot when it was re-named in South Africa Credit: PA:Press Association
WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS
There have been four winners of the World Cup Golden Boot since it re-branded from the Golden Shoe for the 2010 tournament.
Thomas Muller won the first in South Africa, scoring five times as Germany finished third at the tournament, scoring in the third place playoff against Uruguay.
Sign up for the Football newsletter
Thank you!
James Rodriguez burst onto the scene in Brazil to win the 2014 Golden Boot with six goals, beating out Muller, who scored five goals in 2014.
An Englishman won in 2018, as Harry Kane netted six times for the Three Lions, as they finished fourth in Russia.
THE RIGHT tone
Ivan Toney claims ‘aura and swagger’ got him into England World Cup squad
Cheesed off
Roy Keane reveals how CHEESE SANDWICH row led to him refusing World Cup spot
France’s Kylian Mbappe put his name in history and won the 2022 Golden Boot with eight goals, including a hat-trick in the World Cup final against Argentina, beating out Lionel Messi, who struck seven.
The two superstars ran each other all the way in North America once again and JattvibeSport can reveal who is leading the way for the Golden Boot in 2026.
Who is leading the race for the Golden Boot?
Mbappe’s double in France’s 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place play-off proved pivotal in the race for the golden boot.
The Frenchman took his tally to 10 goals to become the outright top scorer at the tournament, overtaking Messi.
The Argentinian legend couldn’t replicate Mbappe’s brace, meaning the Real Madrid superstar won the accolade for a second time.
1 Kylian Mbappe (France) – 10(4 assists)
2 Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 8 (4 assists)
T-3 Jude Bellingham (England) – 7 (1 assist)
T-3 Erling Haaland (Norway) – 7
T-5 Ousmane Dembele (France) – 5 (2 assists)
T-5 Harry Kane (England) – 6 (1 assist)
7 Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) – 5 (1 assist)
T-8 Vinicius Jr (Brazil) – 4 (1 assist)
T-8 Ismaila Sarr (Senegal) – 4 (1 assist)
T-8 Julian Quinones – 4 (1 assist)
World Cup golden boot tiebreakers: What happens if players with most goals are tied?
The World Cup golden boot goes to the player with the most goals at the tournament.
Should players be tied for goals scored at the end of the global showpiece, the winner is the one with the most assists.
If still tied, the golden boot goes to the player with the fewest minutes played.
