As World Cup 2026 group stage dey wind down, two superstars don stand out for the Golden Boot race: Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. Dem dey top the odds after strong starts to the tournament.
Messi, wey don score five goals for im first two matches, be the new favourite. Di 38-year-old Argentina captain don net for six consecutive World Cup games, a feat wey only Jairzinho and Just Fontaine achieve before. Na im be di all-time leading scorer for di competition with 18 goals.
But bettors must sabi say Messi fit rest against Jordan for di last group match. That mean now no be di right time to back am. He go return for a potential Round of 32 showdown with Cape Verde or Saudi Arabia, wey go give am chance to increase im tally.
Mbappe, di Real Madrid striker, don score four goals so far, including braces against Senegal and Iraq. Di 27-year-old French captain don net 16 goals for 16 World Cup matches. Playing for di tournament favourites, e go almost certainly add to im tally. Unlike Messi, Mbappe go benefit from starting on Matchday 3.
Erling Haaland, wey dey make im World Cup debut for Norway, don score four goals too. But im team need to overperform for am to win di Golden Boot. Di absence of easy fixtures go make am tough for di 25-year-old.
Harry Kane, wey win di Golden Boot for 2018, don score two goals for England. Di next match against Panama go be key for im chances. E dey three goals behind Messi, but e fit repeat im hat-trick against di same opponent for 2018.
Vinicius Junior don shine with four goals for Brazil, but im team fit struggle to reach quarter-finals. Cristiano Ronaldo respond to criticism with two goals against Uzbekistan. Portugal get creative quality to provide chances for di 41-year-old.
Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain first-choice striker, be great value at long odds. Luis Diaz don score once for Colombia. Host nation USA get Folarin Balogun and Christian Pulisic, with Balogun in better form afta 19-goal season for Monaco.
Mohamed Salah score and assist for Egypt, but e go hard for am to catch di favourites. Japan dark horses fit surprise, but Ayase Ueda no be serious contender.
Golden Boot bets require long-term planning. Goals for extra time count, but penalty shootout goals no count. If tie, assists and minutes played decide winner. Spreading risk by backing favourite and longer shots be smart approach.
Di chase between Messi and Mbappe remind many of Tiger Woods vs Jack Nicklaus for golf. Messi be di elder statesman, wey don lay down records. Mbappe, at 27, dey nipping at im heels. E be joy to witness history for real time.
