Golden Boot Contenders Gather for Final Match

As the FIFA World Cup approaches, attention is turning to the players who will vie for the coveted Golden Boot, awarded to the tournament’s top goalscorer. While the prize is highly prestigious, scoring glory does not always translate into team success.

Previous winners

A look at past Golden Boot recipients reads like a tour of the World Cup Hall of Fame. Names such as Just Fontaine, Eusebio, Gerd Müller, Mario Kempes, Paolo Rossi and Gary Lineker are legendary to fans, while modern winners include Ronaldo (Brazil), Miroslav Klose, Davor Šuker and Thomas Müller. Müller is still active, playing for the Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS, though he did not make his national squad after retiring from international duty in 2024.

Some former winners remain active with their national teams, and unsurprisingly many of the same names appear among this edition’s favorites. Top sportsbooks have already set odds, with France’s Kylian Mbappé and England’s Harry Kane leading the pack. Both were winners in the previous two tournaments, and many expect them to claim the trophy again. Another contender is Colombia’s James Rodríguez, who won the award in Brazil 2014 at age 22. Now 34 and playing in MLS, Rodríguez is less likely to finish among the leaders, though the odds reflect that possibility.

Related: World Cup 2026: Balogun, Havertz, Ayari Set Pace In Golden Boot Race

Golden Boot curiosities

If Mbappé, Kane or Rodríguez were to win the prize, they would break a long-standing record: no player has ever won the Golden Boot twice. Remarkable!

Another rarity is that the award is seldom won by a player from the World Cup‑winning team. The first time this occurred was in 1962 when Brazil won in Chile, with Garrincha and Vava finishing joint top scorers alongside four others. Mario Kempes was the first to win outright for Argentina in 1978, Paolo Rossi did so for Italy in 1982, and Brazil’s Ronaldo achieved the feat in 2002. Four times in 22 editions is a modest tally.

Other leading contenders this time around

If not Mbappé or Kane, other strong candidates emerge. Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to victory in Qatar and now plays in MLS, has never won the Golden Boot. At 38, he will be 39 during the knockout stages and finished second in the goalscoring charts with the Silver Boot last time. Cristiano Ronaldo, 41 and playing in his sixth World Cup, also has never claimed the Golden Boot, though his overall record remains stellar. Both icons remain among the top contenders as they near the twilight of their careers.

On the younger end is Spain’s Lamine Yamal, who dazzled at Euro 2024 at 16 and will be 18 at this World Cup. After a prolific season with Barcelona, Yamal is a favorite, especially as Spain is expected to progress deep into the tournament. Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, with 55 goals in 49 international appearances, is another leading candidate, though his success will depend on Norway’s advancement. Sweden’s Alexander Isak, recently returned from a long‑term injury, also figures in the conversation.

Other contenders include Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha, Argentina’s Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez, and France’s Ousmane Dembélé. While the eventual winner’s name remains uncertain, the trophy will add a new icon to the list of legends that echo every World Cup. However, winning the Golden Boot does not guarantee a World Cup winner’s medal, a rarity that persists.