As fans are excited about who will win the FIFA World Cup 2022, there is just as much excitement over who is going to bag the golden boot award. The Golden Boot is awarded to the top goal scorer of the tournament. The award was first presented in 1982 and has been awarded at every World Cup since then. This year the excitement of the golden boot will remain until the last day of the World Cup as four players, Messi (5 goals), Mbappe (5 goals), Alvarez (4 goals) and Giroud (4 goals), are running in this race. It is not possible to say who will win the award as they all have equal opportunities in the final.
However, Messi and Mbappe have more chances to win the golden boot. Let’s see what the possibilities are for them.
Performance of Messi in The FIFA World Cup 2022 So Far
After 2014, Messi is once again a big contender for the golden boot. Lionel Messi played a leading role in reaching his team to the final by scoring 5 goals and three assists. Lionel Messi is in great form in this World Cup, and he has one final game.
So, Messi has a great chance to win if he can score more goals in the next match. However, in this World Cup, Messi has seen his highest goal in one tournament and also became the highest goal scorer in Argentina’s World Cup history. Messi scored against Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Australia, Netherlands, and Croatia.
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Other records Messi has so far in this World Cup are 27 shots, 1.75 expected goals, 14 shots on target, created 18 chances, 20 fouls drawn, 14 open play chances created, and 36 take on. Messi is the leading man of the match winner among footballers. This great footballer has won the 'man of the match' title four times so far in the Qatar World Cup.
Performance of Mbappe in The Football World Cup 2022 So Far
Last time in the 2018 World Cup, Kylian Mbappé Lottin got 4 goals, this time, he scored 5 goals in just three matches. However, he could not score in three matches. So, Messi has overtaken him in the race for the golden boot.
But what Mbappe did in the final game of the last World Cup is not easy to forget. If he gets a goal in the final this time, maybe the golden boot will go to his feet. In other records, Mbappe has 24 shots, 10 shots on target, and suffered 7 fouls. Mbappes’ fight in the final will be a fight to win the title as well as snatch the Golden Boot from Messi.
Read More: Will Messi's last performance in World Cup help Argentina win the trophy in Qatar?
Who will Win the Gold Boot Award in FIFA World Cup 2022: Messi or Mbappe?
Since both have scored 5 goals, and if they don’t score any goals in the final, other golden boot rules will be applied. That said, if the number of goals scored by more footballers is equal, then it is seen who has more assists. That is, who assisted in how many goals? If it is equal, it is seen who was on the field for less time.
So, if both Messi and Mbappes’ scores remain the same, FIFA will look at the assist number. In that case, Messi will win the golden boot as he has three assists. On the other hand, Mbappe has 2 assists. However, if Mbappe assists one goal in the next match and Messi’s assist remains the same, Mbappe will win the golden boot as he has played less time than Messi. Mbappe played 477 minutes on the field, while Messi played 570 minutes.
Final Words
Both Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé Lottin have enthralled sports enthusiasts with their magical performances in this year's Football world cup. Not to mention, both players are deserving candidates for the Gold Boot award. However, we have to wait one more day to know who wins the FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 Golden Boot. Apparently, both Messi and Mbappe will give their best for sure to win the game as well as enrich their personal record.