[World Cup Star] Messi, Mbappé and Haaland Clash for Golden Boot as 13-Goal Mark From 68 Years Ago Could Fall

The world’s top goal scorers have stepped up a heated race for goals at the 2026 North and Central American World Cup, challenging a record once regarded as ‘unbreakable’ in football history.

‘Lionel Messi (Argentina), Kylian Mbappé (France), Erling Haaland (Norway)’ stoked the Golden Boot battle by scoring back-to-back multi-goal hauls in the second match of the group stage. Messi of defending champion Argentina added two goals against Austria, recording 5 goals in just two matches and taking sole possession of the scoring lead. Mbappé of France and Haaland of Norway also moved up to the 4-goal plateau after adding two goals apiece against Iraq and Senegal, respectively, keeping the pressure on Messi.

The three players have combined for 13 goals in just two matches. Coincidentally, that figure matches the all-time single-tournament scoring record set by Just Fontaine of France at the 1958 Sweden World Cup. Fontaine scored 13 goals in six games at the time, and the record has remained unbroken even after 68 years.

In modern football, defensive organization has become more precise and the difficulty of tournaments has increased, so 13 goals in a single tournament has been widely viewed as essentially impossible. After Gerd Müller (West Germany) scored 10 goals at the 1970 Mexico tournament, no player has reached double-digit scoring in a single tournament, and Ronaldo of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup and Mbappé of the 2022 Qatar World Cup had to settle for 8 goals to win the Golden Boot.

But at this 2026 North and Central America World Cup, a new variable has emerged. With the number of participating teams expanding to 48, a round of 32 tournament stage was introduced, and the number of matches played by teams reaching the final increased from seven games to eight. Compared with Fontaine, who scored 13 goals in six games, the math means teams can play two more matches, creating favorable conditions to challenge the record.

The meaning and goals these three players carry into this tournament differ. Messi, playing his sixth and, in practice, final World Cup appearance, recorded 18 goals in World Cup history through the match against Austria, surpassing Miroslav Klose (Germany, 16 goals) to become the all-time leading scorer. Mbappé also trails Messi after tying Klose with 16 career goals, and he is once again targeting the Golden Boot for a second straight tournament.

Haaland, who guided Norway back to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, is showcasing frightening scoring power even on his World Cup debut. Playing for the Norway national team, he is in the middle of a streak of goals in 12 consecutive matches (24 goals total), and when asked about his scoring秘诀, he said, “I have the talent to score goals, and I’m also on the receiving end of some luck,” showing confidence.

On the 27th, France and Norway will meet in the final group-stage match. Alongside a fierce battle for the top spot in Group I, a showdown of pride between Mbappé and Haaland is expected. Meanwhile, Argentina, which has already clinched a place in the round of 32, will play its final group-stage match against Jordan, and football fans around the world are watching whether Messi can keep the multi-goal run going for a third consecutive match.