Lionel Messi has a climb to catch Mbappé for the Golden Boot
AP News • • sports
Key Points:
- Lionel Messi trails Kylian Mbappé by two goals for the Golden Boot at the World Cup, with Mbappé having scored 10 goals after the third-place game.
- Despite this, Messi is a strong contender for a record-extending third Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, having led Argentina to a second consecutive final at age 39.
- Spain is well-positioned to win either the Golden Glove or Best Young Player Award, with goalkeeper Unai Simón and 19-year-old forward Lamine Yamal standing out.
- Mbappé, who won the Golden Boot in 2018, became the first player since 1970 to score 10 goals in a World Cup, while Messi remains the only player to win the Ballon d’Or eight times.
- The Golden Ball, Golden Glove, and Best Young Player awards are determined by media votes from nominees selected by the FIFA Technical Study Group.
