Lionel Messi has returned to the front of the pack in the adidas Golden Boot standings in the wake of Argentina's dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final victory over England.
The Albiceleste legend did not find the net in the 2-1 success, but having entered the game locked on eight goals with Kylian Mbappe he has now moved ahead of the France forward after providing two more assists - the first tie-breaker if players have scored the same amount - against the Three Lions.
Mbappe failed to find the net in Les Bleus' 2-0 semi-final defeat by Spain, but has one more chance to add to his tally in the bronze final in Miami on Saturday, while Messi takes on La Roja in the World Cup final in New York New Jersey on Sunday.
England duo Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are on six ahead of that Miami meeting with France, but seven-goal Erling Haaland is out of the running following Norway's quarter-final exit.
Courtesy: FIFA