World Cup 2026: Messi, Mbappe, Haaland Vie for Golden Boot

New York. This is rapidly becoming a race for the Golden Boot that will be remembered for ages. Lionel Messi is leading with five goals in two games. Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are second with four goals each. This is only the second time in World Cup history that three players have scored four or more goals after two games. This is the first time this has happened since 1954. This has been another extraordinary time with the best forwards football has ever seen scoring one after another. Messi was the first. He broke the World Cup's all-time goal-scoring record by scoring two goals against Austria for Argentina. In his 100th international match, Mbappe responded in kind. He scored two goals to win the match for France against Iraq, which started late due to bad weather. Immediately after that, it was Haaland's turn. After he scored two goals, Norway defeated Senegal to secure a place in the last 32. His start to his World Cup career cannot be considered bad. What one can do, another can do better. That's how it feels right now. And this atmosphere was created even before England's Harry Kane, who scored two goals in his first match against Ghana on Tuesday, had a chance to increase his goal tally. As the world's best players break records one after another on the biggest stage in sports, it feels like we are witnessing something special. French football expert Julien Laurens told BBC Sport, 'Big stars always want the ball at their feet. I think one reason for this is that they are not just chasing the Golden Boot; some players are also looking for all-time records.'

• Records Broken on 'Superstars' Day'

When this competition started, Germany's Miroslav Klose was at the top of the list of the World Cup's all-time top scorers with 16 goals. After two games, 38-year-old Messi is leading with 18 goals in 28 World Cup matches. All five of Argentina's goals in this edition are in his name. But Mbappe is not far behind either. The French star has also scored 16 goals in the same number of games, equaling Klose. His sights will now be on becoming the first striker to win the Golden Boot multiple times, like Kane, and surpassing Messi's goal tally. Laurens said, 'We thought it could be Kylian Mbappe's magic again because he is chasing the incredible record currently held by Lionel Messi.' And when will we talk about Manchester City's goal machine Haaland's record-breaking journey? It might not be by the end of this competition. But if he maintains his current pace, he will join this race in the future. 25-year-old Haaland is only the sixth player to score more than one goal in his first two World Cup matches. His record of 59 goals in 52 games for Norway is also excellent. Former Scottish striker Ally McCoist told ITV, 'In terms of natural footballing ability, Messi is ahead, Kylian Mbappe is perhaps second. But no one is better than Haaland in front of goal.' 'It is impossible to compare these players. In terms of overall footballing skill, Harry Kane is a better player than Haaland. But when it comes to putting the ball in the net, Haaland is perhaps the best. When it comes to finishing, no one surpasses him.' Former England midfielder Karen Carney added on ITV, 'It was a day for superstars. Messi grabbed everyone's attention, but Mbappe and Haaland's performances were also excellent. Hopefully, Harry Kane will also catch this rhythm on Tuesday.'

• 'They are almost impossible to stop'

Records have been breaking since day one for the world's most dangerous forwards. Messi, who has reached the top of the World Cup's all-time list, is getting a lot of attention, which is natural. But he is not the only player setting records in this competition. Mbappe has reached the top of France's all-time top scorers list. Haaland has become Norway's all-time top World Cup scorer in just two games. Meanwhile, Kane has equaled Gary Lineker's World Cup record for England. And all of them will have their eyes on the record set by France's Just Fontaine, who scored 13 goals in a single tournament in 1958. Only three players have reached double-digit goals (10 or more) in a single World Cup edition: Fontaine, Gerd Müller of Germany in 1970, and Sándor Kocsis of Hungary in 1954. It would not be surprising if more names are added to this special list by the end of this competition. The new 48-team format has certainly seemed to increase the chances of goals. The presence of many lower-ranked teams has benefited the world's best attacking players. The World Cup winner will have to play one more round than before. This further increases the opportunities to score goals. Former France defender Gaël Clichy told BBC Sport, 'Kylian Mbappe is part of a generation that is not afraid of anyone. I remember when I started playing, you had to show respect to the older generation when you came onto the field. You wouldn't try to trick the older players.' 'This generation has respect, but in a different way. Their motto is 'Don't talk about age, talk about performance'.' Let's return to the Golden Boot race. Mbappe said, 'This is something I'm not thinking about right now. Leo always scores. He has always scored and will always score.' 'If I start watching him, I will feel like I have to do more. So no, I don't watch what he does. I just think about helping my team. By helping the team, I score goals and get close to that level.' Norway's head coach Ståle Solbakken has naturally sided with Haaland. He said, 'He is an excellent striker. He doesn't play for France or Argentina; he scores for Norway. He has already scored four goals on the biggest stage and has scored twice in the same game twice.' 'It's easier to win the Golden Boot when you play for France and Argentina. But we will try to support Erling more in the upcoming games. He is in excellent form, and I am very happy for him that he has been able to score on the biggest stage.' American striker Folarin Balogun has also had a good start to the tournament, scoring two goals in his first two games. But perhaps he has drawn the best conclusion, jokingly. He said, 'I think it's boring. When you look at players like Messi, Mbappe, and Haaland, it's almost certain that they will score. They are scoring a goal in every game, sometimes more.' 'For me, the goal is to try to reach that level so that my goals are also certain.'