The big guns have delivered at the 2026 World Cup in a way rarely seen in previous tournaments.
This year’s Golden Boot race is the perfect indicator of just how effective the biggest stars have been, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane leading the way.
However, there’s more to being the tournament’s best player than simply scoring goals, and when you delve into the stats, a Golden Ball favourite becomes clear: Lionel Messi.
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Kylian Mbappe leads chasing pack
Have you all recovered from falling off your chairs? Yes, Lionel Messi has a very strong case for being the best player at this World Cup so far.
Before we make that case for the GOAT, it must be said that there are plenty of other contenders nipping at his heels.
Kylian Mbappe sits level with Messi at the top of the Golden Boot race and has two additional assists, spearheading a fearsome, tournament-favourite Les Bleus attack. That attack also contains Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele and the wonderfully creative Michael Olise, who has a tournament-high five assists — three of which were for Mbappe.
Then there is Harry Kane, who routinely delivers huge moments for an undoubtedly talented England side that still only shows a fraction of its true quality. Kane has five goals in four matches, most recently registering a brace as the Three Lions came from behind late to beat DR Congo 2-1 in the round of 32.
Erling Haaland joins Kane on five goals and has been the focal point of a very impressive Norway side, who are appearing at this tournament for the first time since 1998 and beat the Ivory Coast in their first major tournament knockout win ever.
Vinicius Jr demands respect, too, having notched four goals and an assist to largely carry a Brazil side that is very much focused on pragmatism.
Lionel Messi in the clear again
Each of the above has a compelling case at this World Cup, but none have an iron grip on the Golden Ball as tight as Messi’s.
The former Barcelona icon sits top of the pile when compared to his rivals in almost all key attacking metrics, including shots on target, goals, chances created and fouls won per 90 minutes.
Now playing for Inter Miami in MLS, there were pre-tournament doubts about Messi’s ability to still mix it with the very best, especially at 39 years old.
However, he’s utterly silenced all critics with a string of match-winning performances, including scoring all five goals in Argentina’s 3-0 and 2-0 victories over Algeria and Austria, respectively. That’s in addition to another strike from the bench against Jordan.
All of that has seen Messi move above Miroslav Klose as the World Cup’s all-time top goalscorer. Meanwhile, only Cristiano Ronaldo (145) has scored more international goals overall (123).
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Messi is the tournament’s top performer when it comes to the likes of goals scored, open play goals scored, shots on target and Expected Goals on Target per 90. He’s also in the top eight in a host of other key stats, including big chances created (5th), through-balls attempted (6th) and open-play xG (8th).
Who has the edge?
France are the team to beat, and it’s easy to see why. Mbappe is the standout star, but he has a phenomenal supporting cast of Olise, Dembele, Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola, while the likes of Rayan Cherki, Marcus Thuram and Jean-Philippe Mateta would walk into most other sides at the World Cup but have barely seen the pitch so far.
Argentina, meanwhile, aren’t exactly short of support for Messi, with standout stars like Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez within their ranks. Yet even that firepower pales in comparison to Les Bleus.
And yet, a veteran Messi who plays in MLS is once again carrying the torch for his nation, hoping to make La Albiceleste the first national team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.
All of that combined puts him at the front of the pack to win his third Golden Ball and become the first-ever player to win the award in back-to-back World Cups.
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